THESE TWO (2) WORDS HAVE BIG IMPACT...

You are whatever you say you are.
So, what do you say?
Two of the most powerful words you will ever utter are, "I AM...."

Whatever follows "I AM" becomes your life experience.

When we say things like....
"I am not capable. I am not interesting. I am not good enough. I am not confident. I am not smart enough. I am not coping... " - then we live our life according to those words.

Our little minds lock on, we repeat what we have chosen to say to ourselves, we focus on it, and we get dragged down.

So choose your I AM statements wisely, and use them to your advantage!
Say, "I AM capable. I AM interesting. I AM good enough. I AM right where I need to be. I AM confident. I AM smart. I AM coping. I AM thriving. I AM moving forward. I AM resilient. I AM resourceful. I AM productive. I AM energized. I AM kind. I AM supported. I AM guided. I AM tolerant. I AM peaceful. I AM present."

Go ahead and write down a few "I AM" statements that you most need to hear.

Repeat them daily. Look in the mirror, stare in your own eyes, speak to you soul!
Put reminders around yourself. Write a little note on your refrigerator, I AM STRONG.
Put a post it note next to your bed, I AM GOOD ENOUGH.
Listen to affirmation audios with positive I AM statements.
Sip your favorite hot drink from one of our I AM positive affirmation mugs (see below). An awesome visual reminder as you start your day!

Fill yourself up with goodness!

SOME WAYS TO STOP YOURSELF FROM BEING A SLAVE TO YOUR EMOTIONS

SOME WAYS TO STOP YOURSELF FROM BEING A SLAVE TO YOUR EMOTIONS

The way you feel could be different from reality. Many people find it hard when it comes to dealing with emotions in life. Some people are always controlled by their emotions. Such people cannot make certain decisions.

1. Think Before Acting:
Do not be so quick in making decisions. It is important to think before you make any decision in life.
Some decisions are not worth making. Always ask yourself whether there is a need to make certain moves in life.

2. Understand Your Weaknesses:
Each one of us has his or her weaknesses in life. Always know your weaknesses in order to avoid them.
The things we are not good at doing can bring us down if we are not careful with the way we handle them.

3. Own Your Emotions:
 Some people are ever denying their emotions. Make sure you are responsible for all your emotions.
If anything goes wrong on your part, do not fault anyone else in your life. The blame game is not necessary as far as dealing with emotions is concerned.
Learn to take control of your actions all the time if you want to realise happiness in the long run.

SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRONG WOMAN

SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRONG WOMAN

Dating a woman who is strong and independent can be really difficult. It is a unique kind of woman and it is hard to win her heart. They may inspire, they can get a man to fall in love with them and they can change the world.

A truly strong woman can be happy on her own, she doesn't need to be in a relationship to be full. A strong woman knows that she is worthy of everything she puts her mind to.

If you are going to fall in love with a strong woman, we would like to show you several things you should know first.

Here are some characteristics of a strong woman that can help you avoid the trap:

1. She Can Be Vulnerable:

A strong woman isn’t afraid to show her true emotions. She accepts her own flaws and knows exactly how to become happy. She is not weak, and doesn’t like talking about her problems.

2. She Is Not Afraid To Make Decisions:

A strong woman is very decisive. She knows exactly what she wants from life and always achieves her goals. She is ready to listen to public opinion, but her last decision depends on her.

3. She Enjoys Being Single:

A truly strong woman doesn’t need a partner to feel complete. She values personal space and knows exactly how to be happy. She doesn’t need a man to heal wounds, as she is looking for a mature and healthy relationship.

4. She Invests In Personal Growth:

A strong woman knows that she is important and valuable. She thinks that in order to succeed, she should focus on personal growth. She loves herself and she extends her horizons, making her life fuller.

5. She Is Assertive:

A strong woman knows how to defend her borders and rights. She is not afraid to express her feelings and opinions. Her spirit is free and happy.

6. Her Love Is Strong And Mature:

When a strong woman loves, her love is strong and mature. Her love can inspire and her love can embrace. She is not trying to hold a man and she is not trying to change him.

THE BEST WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANGER

THE BEST WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANGER

People have a big problem going through hardships which puts them in a precarious position as their tempers are usually, at this time, a loose cannon.
It is at this time that anger management tips come in handy otherwise so much stands to be ruined.

Uncontrolled anger is always caused by different reasons but this can be made better if you as a person would be able to do the following to keep the anger in check:
1. Being Stress-free:
The state where one finds himself or herself in a position where he/she is unable to control anger is mainly brought about by the effect of having high levels of stress.

Being a stress-free person helps a lot when it comes to a point of controlling anger. Therefore, it is advisable to be a stress-free person as being stress-free is also healthy.

2. Avoid Getting Provocation:
This goes to the type of people who get angry so easily. If you are of this type, it is advisable for one to try hard enough to always avoid the situation that will lead to him getting pissed off. This way, one will be able to control his/her anger.

3. Seek For Help:
If controlling anger happens to be a big deal to you, then it’s advisable to seek help from someone that you can trust and you know he/she can help you.

Seeking help is not a disability as most people interpret it. It’s always a good means of speaking out on how you feel about something and this ends up helping most of the people.

SOME WAYS TO STOP LOVING SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T LOVE YOU BACK

SOME WAYS TO STOP LOVING SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T LOVE YOU BACK

If your relationship is not working, it is time to accept and move on.
It hurts when you love someone only to realize he or she doesn’t love you back.  Many of us hurt ourselves by struggling to make relationships work.  According to Bright side, if your relationship is not working, it is time to accept and move on.

Here Are Some Ways To Stop Loving Someone Who Doesn’t Love You Back:
1. Accept The Fact That This Person Doesn't Need You:
Start by accepting the fact that he or she does not love you. By accepting this, you will be better placed to deal with your self-being. Many times we find ourselves in tough moments because we are not ready to accept the truth.

2. Look For A Person In A Similar Situation:
Two heads are better than one. Get someone in the same condition. Assist each other to cope up with the condition. He or she will encourage you to live without your crush.

3. Take Care Of Yourself:
Learn to take care yourself. Taking care of yourself makes you stronger. When she or he doesn’t love you, learn to move on with life.

4. Stop Hanging On The Dream:
If things have not worked, they were never meant to be. Let the dream die as soon as possible. Some things are better forgotten than kept in the mind.

5. Don’t Get Angry:

Getting angry won’t solve the problem. Take the situation as it comes. There are many reasons the love is not working. Do not pressurize him or her to love you back.

SOME WAYS TO HEAR FROM GOD REGULARLY

SOME WAYS TO HEAR FROM GOD REGULARLY

It’s often when we’re worried, anxious or overwhelmed that we cry out to God to speak to us. We look for his voice for guidance when we need something. The good news is that God is always wanting to hear from us and speak to us.

God is constantly speaking to people. But too often, they miss out on hearing God’s messages because they seek His guidance only occasionally – usually when they’re going through a crisis or facing a major decision. Then, with a dire need to hear from God, people become confused and frustrated when they don’t clearly hear what they should do. They start to wonder how to hear from God and why they aren’t.

It doesn’t have to be that way. God wants everyone to hear His messages clearly, and it’s possible to do so. The key is to forget about formulas and gimmicks for hearing from God, and to focus instead on developing the kind of relationship with God that will empower you to hear God speaking regularly.

The closer you get to God, the more you can enjoy ongoing conversations with Him, both listening and hearing from Him, and the more God will use those conversations to transform you into the person He wants you to become.

Here are some ways how you can hear from God and recognize his voice regularly:

1. Recognize that God has created you for a close friendship with Himself:

By design, the way you hear best from God is in the context of a friendship with Him. God intends for you to figure out His will freely and intelligently as you engage in regular conversations with Him. God’s will is to be personally present with you and speaking with you moment by moment as you go through life. Then you’ll grow to understand Him more and become more like His Son, Jesus.

2. Consider your motives for wanting to hear from God:

Honestly reflect on why you want to hear from God. Is it because you’re truly open to whatever God has to say and committed to putting His guidance into action and fulfilling His purposes, even when doing so is challenging? Or is it for a selfish reason, such as wanting to feel righteous or comforted? Confess and repent of any wrong motives. Ask God to give you an openness to hear and respond faithfully to what He wants to tell you.

3. Make your goal more than just hearing God:

While it’s important to hear from God, that shouldn’t be your ultimate goal. Instead, make your main goal to become a spiritually mature person in a close relationship with God. That’s the only way you’ll clearly and correctly hear what God has to say to you.

4. Know that you’re important to God, but be humble:

Have the confidence that God is willing to speak to you just as powerfully as He did to the people in the Bible, because He values you just as much. However, don’t let pride creep into your soul, because you must be humble in order to faithfully receive and respond the messages God has for you.

5. Don’t try to force God to tell you something:

No matter how much you want to hear from God about something or how hard you may try to convince Him to speak to you, you’ll only hear from God when He chooses to communicate with you. Focus on developing a respectful relationship with God and wait for His timing to deliver messages to you. Also, if God chooses not to give you specific guidance about something you’ve prayed about and what you’re considering is within the Bible’s moral principles, you can confidently go ahead and make your own decision about what to do and be within God’s will.

6. Recognize that God communicates in many forms, but most often through your mind:

God may choose any one of many different ways to communicate to you, according to what’s best at particular times and in particular circumstances. You may sometimes hear God’s message in dramatic ways, such as through angels, visions, or miraculous events. But more often, you’ll hear God speaking through your thoughts, and He will use ordinary practices such as reading the Bible, praying quietly, learning from circumstances, or seeking counsel from other Christians to reach out to you as you think about them. God will use dramatic means to get your attention when necessary, but His goal is for you to be so closely connected to Him that you’ll pay attention whenever He speaks to you. Usually, God speaks through what people have described as a “still, small voice” to encourage those He loves to choose to keep walking closely with Him through life.

7. Renew your mind:

Since God often speaks to you through your mind and wants you to develop what the Bible calls the “mind of Christ” (the ability to make decisions as Jesus would), it’s crucial for you to follow the Bible’s urging in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” As you invite the Holy Spirit to renew your mind every day, He will cleanse it from such dirt and clutter as false beliefs and attitudes, unhealthy feelings, and misguided plans. Then the Holy Spirit will replace all of that with true thoughts that reflect God’s purposes.

8. Invite the living Word to help you when you read the written word:

The Word of God is a living, creative force – Jesus Himself – and He is actively at work when you read God’s written word – the Bible – prayerfully. When you read the Bible, ask Jesus to make the Bible’s words come alive for you and become conduits through which He sends His thoughts, faith, and love into your soul. Then focus on what He sends you and orient yourself toward it so it will begin to transform your life.

9. Recognize God’s voice above all others:

By experience, you can learn to recognize God’s voice when He speaks, and to confidently respond to what He says. When thoughts recur, pray about them to discern if they may be coming from God. Keep in mind that God will neversend you a message that contradicts the Bible’s principles. Also, God’s voice carries the weight of authority within it, and expresses a spirit of peace, confidence, joy, reasonableness, and goodwill. If you think that God may speaking to you, ask Him to confirm so as you study and meditate on the Bible, as you’re alert to the circumstances you encounter, or as you experience the Holy Spirit’s impressions in your mind.

10. Set aside time regularly to listen for God’s messages:

Make a habit of intentionally and expectantly listening for whatever God may want to tell you. It’s more important to become a person who listens regularly to God than it is to constantly ask God to give you guidance.

SOME AREAS OF YOUR LIFE SATAN IS DESPERATE TO ENTER

SOME AREAS OF YOUR LIFE SATAN IS DESPERATE TO ENTER

Satan wants nothing more than to enter certain areas of your life so he can gain a stronghold. He’ll try anything to throw you off center, distract you from your focus, and render you ineffective for the Kingdom of God.

And that there are common areas he attacks – not just in women, but in any of us. As long as we’re aware of his strategies, we can be on guard to keep him out of his targeted entry points.

These Are The Areas Of Your Life Satan Wants To Enter:

1. Your heart – so it’s not God’s alone:

There’s a reason God’s Word tells us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Satan knows he has an entry point into your life if God is not first in our hearts. God’s first commandment, set forth under the Old Covenant, was: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). And Jesus restated that under the New Covenant when He was asked what is the greatest commandment and responded by saying “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’…” (Luke 10:27). Satan’s greatest desire is to prevent you from giving God all of your heart so he will constantly dangle people, things, and desires in front of you – anything to distract you so he can erect a false god in front of you that you don’t even realize you have.

Do you love God more than you love anything (or anyone) else in life? 

He will try to lure you with a false god like your career, a spouse or love interest, a dream or goal, a hobby or lifestyle. I know many women whose first love is their bodies, so they spend more time in the gym working out than letting God work within. It’s a subtle way of starting to love other things more than God. Some of us love food, money, recreation, our children, a substance, or a “feeling” (like being in love, or feeling energetic) more than God, Himself. Guard your heart by keeping Christ on the throne of your life so Satan doesn’t try to sneak anything else in there.

2. Your Worries – to make you doubt God’s love and provision:

Satan wants you stressing, because then you’re not resting in God’s ability to care for you. Women tend to stress over the temporal – bills that must be paid, whether or not a man will come into our lives, if we’ll be able to have a child, what someone is saying about us, how our body looks, and so on. Men tend to stress about their jobs, providing for their families, and whether or not they are “making the cut” in several areas of life. Then there’s health concerns, fears about our aging parents, and other situations that can crowd out God’s peace in our lives and even cause us to begin to blame God for our circumstances.

Are you living like God's love and provision are real? 

Don’t let Satan in this door through his tantalizing “what if?” questions and the doubts he weaves through your mind. God instructs us in Philippians 4:6-7 to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NASB). Keep praying about your concerns and keep thanking God ahead of time for what He’s about to do, so Satan doesn’t get a stronghold in your mind through your worries and fears.

3. Your Everyday Thinking – so you’re just like the world:

It’s amazing how many people profess to know God and follow Him, yet their thinking patterns are just like those of anyone else in the world. Satan loves that. He wants you to be so absorbed with the ways of the world that you are clueless about what God’s Word says. He will do this through subtle messages in music lyrics, statements from your favorite celebrity, and words of advice from friends (even friends of yours who are believers, but are quoting “verses” that are not in the Bible).

Is your everyday thinking different from the world's? 

Scripture commands us: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is” (Romans 12:2, NLT). Furthermore, God’s Word instructs: “fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise… and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9, NLT). But Satan would rather have us in mental anguish by listening to the world, rather than the word of God. Guard your everyday thinking by soaking it in Scripture. It’s the only way to keep Satan and his worldly philosophies from entering in.

4. Your Speech – so you tear others apart:

God wants us to be holy mouthpieces for Him – people who heal and help with our words. But Satan would rather have you and me blowing it big time with our mouths. A few critical words here, a few complaints there, some profanity mixed in with a little gossip on the side and we have given him permission to make us people who tear others apart and sound no different (and sometimes worse) than unbelievers. Satan knows we can cause much damage with our mouths if we do not bring them under God’s control.

Are your words building up others? 

Whether it is gossip, criticism or unkind remarks, our mouths can be instruments of righteousness or unrighteousness. Close that door to Satan, altogether, by applying God’s instructions in Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV). And 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NASB). Be a verbally thankful person who speaks only to lift others up, not tear them down. That will diminish and destroy a critical and complaining spirit that gives Satan a stronghold in our lives.

5. Your Body - so it no longer glorify God:

Why is it that when people get depressed they overeat or drink excessively or turn to substances? Why is it that young girls will cut their bodies or starve themselves when they are dealing with emotional pain? I believe it’s because Satan will turn us against our bodies if he can, as a way of “getting back at God.” Our bodies are precious to God. Scripture commands us to “Give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1, NLT).

Are you glorifying God through your body? 

Satan knows that God considers our bodies His temple and therefore God wants us to keep our bodies holy, healthy and honoring to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Scripture says keeping our bodies holy is our “spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1, NIV). So because our bodies are holy to God, Satan would love to have us harm them, mutilate them, starve them, and destroy them with substances. Don’t let him in. Not in how you dress. Not in how you see yourself. Not in how you treat yourself. Ask God for a healthy body image and a desire to protect your body so you can serve Him on this earth in it for as long as possible.

The Best Strategy: 

So what’s your strategy now that you know the areas where Satan wants to enter your life? God gives us a great defense through Paul’s instructions to the saints in Ephesians 6:11-18: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…” In other words, put on Christ-likeness. Abide in Christ, be clothed in His character and righteousness, and you will fend off the attacks of the devil.

SOME BODY PARTS YOU NEED TO CLEAN MORE OFTEN

SOME BODY PARTS YOU NEED TO CLEAN MORE OFTEN

“The most important house to clean is your own body.” – Marina Abramovic

We all know the importance of cleanliness, and most of us think that by showering with soap, we’ve prevented potentially harmful bacteria from making us sick. Most days, you likely go through the motions on autopilot. As soon as your alarm buzzes in the morning, you get out of bed and head to the shower for your daily cleanliness routines. But do you really make a conscious effort to clean every inch of your body? Here are some body parts that you should clean more often to keep them healthy and safe from harmful bacteria:

Here Are Some Body Parts You Need To Clean More Often:
1. Scalp:
You likely wash your hair regularly, but have you heard that using less shampoo is better for you? Daily shampooing apparently removes the natural and beneficial oils that make the hair healthier. Here’s a fun time comparison: Several decades ago, the New York Times advised women that it’s best to wash the hair twice a week , as opposed to once a month , based on the recommendations of specialists!
While a lot of people use shampoo to clean their hair, most don’t pay special attention to the scalp. The many sweat glands of this area will form flakes if not properly scrubbed and massaged. This is why your head itches if it’s not clean.
Ideally, you should spend two minutes scrubbing your scalp to get rid of the dead skin cells that build up every day. You should also massage your scalp to help increase the blood flow that gives your hair needed nutrients . But how often should you shampoo? It depends on your hair type, as too many shampoo chemicals can also be bad for the hair. If you have oily hair, you might need to shampoo every other day.

2. Belly Button:
The navel or belly button is perhaps the most disregarded body part when it comes to cleaning. Bacteria easily build up in this dark, moist area. Some people’s belly button can smell really bad because of the accumulation of sweat and dirt. In some cases, the smell may be a symptom of a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection, or the belly button might have a wound or bruise that has remained untreated.
It’s quite simple to clean the gunk out of your belly button. Use a soft washcloth to gently massage your navel and use table salt to disinfect the area. Don’t use creams or other skin care products because these might leave residues that may cause more buildup.

3. Behind Your Ears:
There are skin folds behind your ears that have a high concentration of sebaceous glands. These glands collect sweat and secrete sebum, so you’ll need to scrub and wash this area properly. The area behind your ears can smell like cheese because of bacteria growth. While this is normal, as your skin goes through the biological process of renewing itself, the odor won’t be pleasant – especially if other people smell it too.
Sometimes, blackheads also form behind your ears when it’s not clean or residues remain from shampoos and soaps. Before you shower, you might also want to swab this area with cotton soaked in white vinegar to kill the bacteria or germs. If you wear earrings, regularly remove and wash these too.

4. Tongue:
Your tongue is like a sponge. It absorbs bacteria from the food and drinks you put in your mouth. If you’re not conscious about cleaning your tongue, you might develop stinky breath because of the bacteria buildup. A study says that 50 percent of halitosis, also known as bad breath, is due to tongue residues.
A simple remedy? Clean your tongue whenever you brush your teeth. Using the same toothbrush, reach the back of your tongue and gently scrape outwards towards the tip. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, using a tongue scraper would be better than a toothbrush.
In addition, you might want to gargle with a mouthwash after your clean your mouth. Choose a mouthwash that has cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in its ingredients as it can reduce bacteria buildup by 34.5 percent more than other types of mouthwash, as per clinical research.

5. Feet:
Most people don’t scrub their feet when taking a shower but experts say this area must be cleaned as often as you wash your face or brush your teeth. It’s easy for the feet to come in contact with fungi and bacteria, which can lead to calluses and other skin irritations.
Apart from giving your feet TLC in the bathroom, apply lotion or moisturizer every day to maintain the suppleness of the skin. Don’t forget to pay attention to the areas between your toes, as well as the heel and ball of your feet. These are the areas that dry faster and dry skin might lead to an infection.
Trim and file your toenails every two weeks. Experts also recommend rotating the shoes you wear to air them out since the feet can sweat and leave residues.

Final Thoughts:
As a matter of good hygiene and wellness, mere positive thinking isn’t enough. Always take a few extra minutes to focus on cleaning these often-overlooked body parts. It’s not too late to develop this positive habit in your routine and you’ll feel loads better after. Cleanliness is next to godliness, after all!

A WOMAN WHO DOES THESE THINGS IS A DISGRACE TO HER MAN

A WOMAN WHO DOES THESE THINGS IS A DISGRACE TO HER MAN

Men have different expectations as far as love is concerned.
Just like women, men want to be treated right. The way you handle the man in your life is very important.
Men feel happy and lucky when their women show commitment in their love life.
Certain acts can make a man find no reason to continue dating you.

A Woman Who Does These Things Below Is A Disgrace To Her Man:
1. Cheats:
No man wants to date a woman who sleeps around with several men.
It is a shame to realise the woman in your life has been seeing someone else behind your back.
A man feels happy when he finds a faithful woman.

2. Lacks Respect:
 Respect is among the recipes of happiness in marriage.
A woman who doesn’t respect her man is a shame to him.
Men feel hurt when women openly show that they do not respect them in any way.
A good woman will always do as her man wishes. She will make all sorts of sacrifices to make things right in the marriage.

3. Doesn’t Listen:
Some women never listen to their men. They do things the way they want.
Dating a woman who never takes advice from you can be one of the most daunting tasks in life.

You need someone who loves and cares about you all the time.

SOME SIGNS YOUR CHILD COULD BE INTELLECTUALLY GIFTED

SOME SIGNS YOUR CHILD COULD BE INTELLECTUALLY GIFTED

All parents want to believe their children are special and unique, and the truth is each and every single one is unique! However, some children are exceptional and intelectually gifted.

Your child may be destined to be the next President, Governor or Senator but how do you know? An “intelectually gifted” child is defined as “one who demonstrates outstanding levels of aptitude or competence in one or more domains.”

Assessing whether a child meets this criteria is far more complicated than simply relying on test scores. In fact, many educators look for other signs of exceptional intelligence that cannot be measured by a test or exam.

Here Are A Few Things That May Indicate That Your Child Falls In This Category:

They Are Determined And Focused:
Gifted children have perseverance for sticking with a task or habit until they have mastered it. They typically have an amazing sense of focus. When given a task, they tend to work on it without distractions until completion.

Leadership Skills:
Because of their maturity and natural organizational abilities many genius kids will become leaders of industry. They can take charge to find the most effective solution. They also self-regulate their performance, making them always look for ways to improve.

As a result of this ability, they usually can lead their peers, as they have more confidence in their sense of direction and experience in taking charge.

Racing Through Milestones:
One of the first signs that you may be raising a genius appears very early on in a child’s life and may occur when your child achieves developmental milestones way before predicted.
Many parents of gifted children note that they often master developmental milestones at an earlier age than expected. In particular, language skills may be significantly above age level. Many gifted children often develop an extensive vocabulary and speak in complex sentences at an early age.

Early Pattern Recognition:
Infant geniuses will begin to recognize repetition at an early age but it’s not just simple colour or shape patterns that catch their eye. Intelectually gifted children not only notice patterns and shapes in games and activities but can also see repeated behaviours, activities, and actions more easily than their peers.
Gifted children notice everything, from which bus passes the house after breakfast time to how many bricks can fit inside the toy trunk. They are very good at observing and remembering key information.

Curiosity About The World:
Smart kids are interested in the world around them, but real geniuses have an insatiable curiosity to find out about the very thing that makes things work. They can inquire about every single mammals individual eating habits to insisting on knowing exactly how the toaster works.
Gifted children will more often than not test their parents’ patience with an unending stream of questions.

A Detailed Knowledge Or Interest In Their Favourite Topic:
Gifted children will often have in-depth knowledge in one particular subject or area of interest. This might mean they can tell you the scientific name of every plant, name of all past presidents or explain the internal workings of a car engine. Whatever the topic a child prodigy’s knowledge is usually all encompassing.

They Prefer The Company Of Adults Or Older Peers:
Gifted children may find it difficult to relate to their peers who may have different interests and abilities. Very smart kids can often feel bored in class as the work is too easy for them and will seek out more stimulating conversation with older peers and adults.

HOW TO BECOME ELOQUENT IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

HOW TO BECOME ELOQUENT IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

By Favour Chukwunyere on January 29, 2019

The word “Eloquence” seems to be one of those words that are gradually fading away in these recent times. People just tend to go speak publicly without checking themselves and discovering if they are eloquent enough for their speech. Not only is the word fading, so also are its categories of words like charisma, presence, and gravitas. It is quite sad that even some educated people are not eloquent in public speaking. Being eloquent in public speaking seems to have been abandoned and left only to the people who take great wedding speeches, on-air personalities, senior politicians in their electoral campaigns or legendary speeches like Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream”.

WHAT IS ELOQUENCE?

Truth is irrespective of where we find ourselves, it is of great benefit to become more eloquent public speakers. It’s important to always look to improve our communication and interpersonal skills. Whether it’s giving a speech to an auditorium of thousands or simply addressing a few dozen co-workers, the basic principle is the same: when addressing multiple people at once, getting our message across accurately and memorably is vital to success.

Merriam Webster defines eloquence as: “The ability to speak or write well and in an effective way.” It goes on to say: “ Eloquence is discourse marked by force and persuasiveness; also: the art or power of using such discourse.” In other words, eloquence is the quality of artistry and persuasiveness in speech or writing. Building your concise, positive, invaluable, and appropriately named message around your audience can ensure that your point gets across and stays fresh in people’s minds.

STEPS TO ATTAINING ELOQUENCE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

The following are basic steps to take in order to improve delivery of a message or speech. And to help attain great heights in public speaking.

GET TO KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

In order to pick the right combination of topics to focus on so, your audience will become interested at once. Then research on what the audience is interested in. Give the audience something that they can take away and do for themselves. What is the impact on the audience’s lives? Stand out from the rest and avoid topics that people have already heard or read.

GIVE YOUR WORK A CAPTIVATING TITLE

Dedicating time to craft the body of your message is as important as creating an original name for your speech or message. This is never stressed enough. Your title should wake the audience’s interest so they anticipate reading or listening to your message. Think of the title as your red carpet to grab your audience’s attention. This statement must summarize your main point in a unique way.

BE CONCISE

When delivering a speech, it is advisable to be concise and end it earlier than the time you are given. Sometimes, adding relevant metaphors may seem appropriate, but don’t waste time including too many. That is because every single part of the message is potentially a moment for you to hold your audience’s interest together and for people to remember.

ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE

Capture your audience attention and make them stay focused by choosing topics they can relate to. Thereby including them in your message carefully, especially at the beginning. Doing that could make a difference in whether or not you get someone to become engaged, then they will believe and share your perspective.

GET PHILOSOPHICAL

Countless articles on the art of public speaking have included reference to the great Greek philosopher Aristotle. Over 2000 years ago the extraordinary thinker gave us the greatest gift to enable us to structure an entire speech in a way that we could deliver with the mindful eloquence we need to connect with an audience.

1. Logos – Appeal to your audience’s logic

2. Pathos – Appeal to your audience’s sense of emotion

3. Ethos – Appeal to your audience’s sense of ethics

HAVE A CONVERSATION

Most of us find it very difficult to get excited about the idea of having someone stand in front of us simply talking at us, yet many people call this presenting. Conversely, most of us look forward to and enjoy having a great conversation which is interesting, stimulating and of course two-way. Eloquence lies in the conversation, not in the presentation, speak slowly and in short sentences and also use simple or plain language.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Speaking eloquently doesn’t include rambling, waffling and padding out your presentation with superfluous information. Which you might have designed purely to make you look good and demonstrate to your audience how hard you have worked. Eloquence involves ensuring that everything you say is completely personal and relevant to your audience. If it adds no value to your audience and won’t make any difference if you don’t say it then leave it out.

MAKE LISTENING EASY

Have you noticed that the speakers you may have considered as eloquent have made it very easy for you to listen attentively to them?. It didn’t happen by accident; they made certain things easy before you arrived that You would be able to hear them easily, you would be able to see them easily, they could move around freely and easily and you would be comfortable.

SAY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE TO SAY FIRST

You have moments to capture your audience’s attention and the last thing they want from you is trivia as the first words you speak. If you take David’s advice not only will they not thank you for it, you will lose them and once you do it’s really hard to get them back. There is nothing eloquent about trivia, especially when it’s the first thing you say. The great speakers do the complete opposite. They approach the platform with confidence, grace, and poise, they stand in silence for a few moments until their audience is completely settled, they smile and then they say their most important point first.

STAY POSITIVE

Aside from giving the audience hints on what they really want to hear about. Other appealing factors for the audience include positive messages that focus less on failures. Susceptibility to helplessness is a psychologically discouraging sign to the public, who are looking for confident candidates to boost up their trust in government officials. Even if you are not delivering a presidential candidate message, you should aim to make optimistic remarks and minimize talking about unresolved problems or failures, unless you are discussing how to attack them in your speech.

TAKE THEM ON A JOURNEY

Get your audience asking the following questions in their subconscious. These questions are: Where are we going? Why are we going there? How are we going to get there? Most of us like the idea of going on a journey but not until we know the answer to those three all important questions first. The eloquent speaker makes it their priority to answer those questions before they begin the journey.

WIN OVER YOUR IN-LAWS: SOME WAYS TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

WIN OVER YOUR IN-LAWS: SOME WAYS TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

A couple meeting each other and falling in love is pretty magical on its own. Then there comes the time when they meet each other’s family. Make the wrong impression and it will very well follow you the rest of your life.

So How Do You Win Over Your In-laws? follow These Tips Below:

1. Be Polite:

This works in most social situations and it works well here too. Be kind and nice to them. Say your please’s and thank you’s. Show them respect and they’ll certainly appreciate it.

2. Compliment Their Son:

You’d be hard-pressed to find a parent that doesn’t want to hear wonderful things about their kids. Now you probably know him as much, if not better than they do. So talk about how smart, kind, hardworking, etc their son is and you’ll warm their hearts.

3. Share Things About You:

To win over your in-laws, you should talk about you. The simple fact is that these people want to learn more about who you are and they may not be the ‘drill-you-with-endless-questions’ kind. So, volunteer some information about yourself.

4. Ask Questions:

People also love to talk about themselves. So have some questions prepared about the family and maybe even ask how your man was as a child. These are great conversation-starters.

5. Avoid Heated Topics:

It’s best to steer clear of conversation topics that could lead to an argument such as politics, tribal differences, etc. Unless you are sure they are on your side, it’s probably better not to talk about it at all.

6. Smile:

It’s kind of hard to be mad at someone who smiles a lot. So, to win over your in-laws, don’t be stingy with your smiles. It automatically makes you more approachable, kinder and even more beautiful.

It’s hard not to be nervous about meeting the in-laws. But the important thing is to be yourself and make sure you get to know more about them.

HOW TO BUILD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FIANCE’S FAMILY

HOW TO BUILD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FIANCE’S FAMILY

As the relationship begins to get serious and marriage becomes certain, it’s important that the both of you do what you can to connect with each other’s loved ones.
How do you get along with in-laws? It’s not really complicated as long as they are also open to getting to know you.

Learn About Their Values:
Talk to your partner about his family. Learn about the religion, morals, and values he was raised on. This way, you find out about the things you have in common with them and you have a better idea as to who they are.

Check In From Time To Time:
People like to be thought about. To get along with in-laws, show them they are on your mind by checking in on them. You may set aside some time to give them a call – perhaps once every week or two.

Let Them Get To Know You:
It’s easy to hate a stranger but it’s more difficult to be cruel to somebody after hearing their story. So try being open about who you are. Learn about them, but talk about yourself as well. Don’t be closed-off or too shy.

Speak Up:
Nobody is perfect, and chances are, your in-laws will probably do something that offends you. Don’t keep it to yourself, especially considering the fact that it probably wasn’t done on purpose. Playing the victim leads to resentment and your animosity will keep bubbling under the surface. When there’s conflict, try to speak to your partner first to see if he can act as a mediator.

Before getting married, you need to have an idea who your partner’s family is, and that’s why it’s important to get along with in-laws. So, take the time to know them.

HOW TO IDENTIFY TROUBLESOME IN-LAWS BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED

HOW TO IDENTIFY TROUBLESOME IN-LAWS BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED

It’s impossible to completely separate the man you marry from his family. Sure the degree to which they can interfere with your life as a couple varies. But as long as he still has a relationship with his family, there will be times when you have to deal with the in-laws.
So, while you’re ensuring your partner will make a good husband, you should also consider what your soon-to-be in-laws are like. There are some signs of troublesome in-laws you should be aware of. These do not necessarily mean you have to end things with your man. But they can help you prepare and perhaps set necessary boundaries.

They Are Critical:
Troublesome in-laws may not be obviously hostile, but you will notice it when they seem to be overly critical of you. They can point out some of your ‘flaws’ offhandedly or make subtle comments aimed at making you feel bad about something you said or did. These kinds of in-laws may make snide remarks about what you’re wearing, for example.

They Are Demanding:
You should also watch out for your in-laws-to-be if they have the habit of demanding your time and attention regardless of whether it’s convenient for you. For example, troublesome in-laws may ask you for a favor while you’re at work and expect you to leave whatever you’re doing to attend to them. Or they become downright nasty when you have to decline an invitation due to a prior commitment.

Your Partner Changes After You Meet Them:
Meeting the parents is a big deal and may sometimes lead to tension. However, if your man suddenly starts to point out your flaws after you met his folks, this is an issue. For example, he starts talking about how you wear too much makeup when he never had a problem with it before. Chances are, this is his family speaking through him and if that starts to happen, you will have challenges down the line. It means that whenever his family disagrees with your choices as a couple, your man isn’t tough enough to stand his ground.

SOME OF THE THINGS YOU SHOULD STOP EXPECTING YOUR HUSBAND TO DO

SOME OF THE THINGS YOU SHOULD STOP EXPECTING YOUR HUSBAND TO DO

One of most common problems in marriage today is anxiety, a condition most couples experience due to unrealistic expectations in marriage. Expectations are ‘strong’ ideologies that something will happen or is likely to happen.
It could be based on past experiences such as accomplishments, failures, goals, beliefs and the emotional state of the mind. As much as expectations can come with important benefits in marriage, they are also the root of many marital conflicts.
Today, the number of men falling into depression is rising greatly, either as a result of their failures to meet their own expectations or the expectations of their wives.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce the pressure on your husbands:
1) Meet Your Expectations:
When you remove expectations from your marriage, you become more mindful and you are able to secure the benefits of living in the present rather than the past. The expectations that often weigh your husband down may be caused by his desire to satisfy your needs, especially if you find it difficult to compromise. Unfortunately, your demands will continue to breed insecurity in your marriage but when you stop expecting him to meet your expectations, he will feel more comfortable and vulnerable with you also.

2) Read Your Mind:
One of the most common complaints from many women in marriage today is not getting help from their husbands at home. Unfortunately the problem is not as complex as it seems if you communicate as a couple. Bear in mind that your husband is not a mind reader and cannot understand what you want unless you tell him. Do not assume that your husband should know that you need help, be specific about your needs. It only takes a few words to make the difference rather than expecting him to figure things out for himself.

3) Honour Your Time:
Some women have a very unpleasant habit of using their own time for their husbands so that things can get done quickly and in their own time too. As ambitious as that may sound, it can send the wrong signal, making your husband feel incompetent while you continue to play his role and yours together. Stop expecting your husband to do things using your own time alone, be considerate and learn to wait for his directives too.

4) Change For You:
Marriage takes a great amount of patience and endurance, especially when you marry a man who has completely different values from yours and you start to wish that you could change him. Unfortunately, when two different habits and personalities cohabit, it exposes the good, the bad and the ugly sides of each person.
Trying to change your husband is as difficult as trying to change yourself. It is a process that is not impossible but may be difficult to achieve. When you stop expecting your husband to change, you will begin to focus on the positives rather than the negatives.

5) Give Complete Love:
Although marriage comes with the vows of unconditional love; in reality today, many couples find it difficult to enjoy this kind of love. Every woman wants to feel loved by her husband, however, your husband may find it difficult to feel love himself, especially if he has a different understanding of loved from his childhood.

SOME REASONS WHY YOUR BREATH SMELLS BAD

SOME REASONS WHY YOUR BREATH SMELLS BAD

Bad breath, is an embarrassing health condition that affects approximately 30% of people around the world.

It is normal to wake up with unpleasant breath after partying all night. But what about when you’ve brushed, flossed, mouthwashed, and not eaten any spicy food like garlic, and are still finding that your breath is less minty, more malodorous?

Good oral hygiene must be taken seriously if you want to avoid halitosis, but it’s not the only factor that can play a part in the smell that comes out when you open your mouth.

Here Are Some Other Things That Can Cause Bad Breath:

1) Cutting Down On Carbs:

Cutting down on carbs and upping your protein intake can be a major factor in whether or not you have bad breath. This is because they cause your body to break down fat for energy and create ketones. The excess ketones put a lot of stress on your kidney.

2) Skipping Meals:

Whether it is a deliberate attempt or you’re doing it for religious reasons, skipping meals can have a serious negative impact on the freshness of your breath. Avoiding meals or fluid slows than the production of saliva leading to breeding of bacteria which causes bad breath.

3) Chewing Too Much Gum:

Chewing gums in the short term after eating spicy food is not harmful. It causes serious health issues in the long term because they contain hidden sugars that leads to the accumulation of sticky plaque on the teeth. This also encourages the growth of bacteria and its effects may be worse than those of dry mouth in the long run.

4) Dehydration:

Drinking the recommended dose of H2O on a daily basis has many beauty and health benefits such as keeping your breath fresh all day. Dehydration can cause halitosis because bacteria that live in the mouth tend to multiply as the mouth dries out.

5) Strep Throat:

Strep is a bacterial infection, not a viral one, and those invading bugs can cause your bad breath to smell bad, says Dr. Grbic. Not only that, but other kinds of sinus infections can turn into bacterial ones that produce a smelly, pus-like type of mucus.

POWERFUL SKILLS TO MANAGE CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIPS

POWERFUL SKILLS TO MANAGE CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIPS

Conflict is a serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one. Synonyms: Dispute, Quarrel, Squabble, Disagreement, difference of opinion, dissension. Conflict often arises because we don’t always correctly read the behavior or words of another person. To do so takes some skill in communication. Some people have grown up in homes where those communication skills were modeled, discussed and refined over time. As a result, they now intuitively have a good idea of how to effectively navigate conflict and work toward resolve. Others though were less fortunate and now have to figure out how to work through conflict by trial and error.

Conflict is a social process that is exacerbated when individual members of a group take sides in the debate. Among the methods to resolve conflict is mediation of the dispute by a group member not currently involved in the dispute. More specifically, a mediator is defined as a person who attempts to resolve a conflict between two group members by intervening in this conflict. Put simply, the mediator can be thought of as a disinterested guide directs the disputants through the process of developing a solution to a disagreement.

The good news is that conflict resolution skills can be learned. But, you need to know which skills are most effective and then deliberately practice them on the relationships that are most important to you.

Here Are Some Powerful Conflict Resolution Skills To Get You Started:
1. EMPATHY:
Empathy is a feelings-oriented response which conveys sensitivity and understanding. Strong negative feelings can become a barrier to communication; this response can diminish those feelings. Empathy is accurately tuning in to what the other person is feeling at the time. It implies listening beyond the words and reflecting the feelings.
A helpful formula: You feel (emotion) because of (circumstance, situation).

Empathy Examples:
a) You’re feeling discouraged because this behavior you see in me keeps repeating.

b) You’re offended and angry at my attempts to “fix” you.

c) You’re excited about your new opportunities for promotion at work.

d) You seem pleased that others recognize your gifts.

2. PROBING:
Probing seeks to ask questions in order to gain more information about what is going on. Open questions focus on the others’ general situation, thoughts, reactions, and feelings. They tend to promote communication. Closed questions focus on specific facts or aspects of the others situation, generally evoking “yes” or “no” answers.

Probing Examples:
a) Do you think I am being stubborn about this decision? (closed).

b) You tell me I am stubborn. How does my tendency to be stubborn affect you? (open).

c) Do you want to talk or not? (closed).

d) I sense that you may not want to talk. Can you tell me what you’re feeling right now? (open).

Open questions are recommended for exploring a broad topic. Closed questions can be interspersed to get to specific facts or can be used to cut off long, irrelevant explanations. In either case, listening to the answer and responding with sensitivity is vital to the questioning process. Caution is needed with asking “why” questions. Example: “Why are you always so negative?” This will often put the other person on the defense and may also express disapproval or criticism.

3. SELF–DISCLOSURE:
Self-disclosure shows your attempts to give others insight into who you are. It is sharing something about yourself that relates directly to the conversation: your personal beliefs, attitudes, values, or an event from your past. Self–disclosure can reduce anxiety by reassuring the other person that he or she is not alone in their feelings or fears.

Self-Disclosure Examples:
a) When I went through a period of depression, I also had a hard time doing even the simplest things.

b) Like you, I never felt as if anyone accepted me for the way I was.

c) When I was a child, others frequently made fun of my weight; I know what it is like to stand out in a crowd.

Self-disclosure is useful in connecting with anyone who struggles with similar problems or life concerns. Caution: overuse of this response is not helpful because it focuses attention on yourself instead of the other person. It can be viewed as an attention-getting device. Use sparingly for the best effect.

COURTSHIP RULES ALL WOMEN SHOULD KNOW

COURTSHIP RULES ALL WOMEN SHOULD KNOW

Courtship provides you with an opportunity to know your partner better. During courtship, you should stick to the rules of the game. There are minor things women are tempted to ignore during courtship that they shouldn't.

Here Are Some Of The Rules In Courtship All Women Should Know:
1. Stay In Control:
Set the pace of the affair. Make things happen in the love life. Men like it when a woman makes most of the suggestions although not all of them. Set personal goals and share them with him.

2. Keep Some Information To Yourself:
Do not reveal everything about yourself too soon. Instead, keep some secrets. Let the man strive to know more about you. Telling him everything about yourself will make him not struggle to know you better.

3. Make Him Chase You:
A woman should use the courtship period to give a man more reasons to chase her. Make the man realize you are the best thing that has ever happened to his life. Even you are not perfect, try to avoid silly mistakes that can make him think twice about your love life.

4. Don’t Pursue Him:
Do not chase the man when he decides to withdraw. Instead, show him that life can go on without him.  This is one of the ways you can make a man realize your true value in the relationship.

SOME FACTS TO REMEMBER WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNSUPPORTIVE AND DON’T GET YOU

SOME FACTS TO REMEMBER WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNSUPPORTIVE AND DON’T GET YOU

Struggling to deal with people who are unsupportive and don’t “get you”

It can be difficult to cope. You might feel isolated, alone or misunderstood.  You might feel confused, frustrated or angry. Your confidence might have been knocked.

No matter what you’re facing right now, or how you’re feeling, here are some facts to support you and uplift you: When People Are Unsupportive And Don't Get You", Remember:
One:
Not everyone is going to like you, and it has nothing to do with you or your likability.

Two:
The world is not designed for us to have 7+ billion friends and 7+ billion supporters.

Three:
Your job is most definitely NOT to please everyone or to be understood by everyone.

Four:
It is natural to want to be understood and liked, but that is a want, not an inherent need. The sooner you distinguish this and let go, the sooner you will find peace within and power for your path forward.

Five:
You must live your life for yourself – not for other people.

Six:
THE BIG, BOLD & PAINFUL TRUTH THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO HEAR – Sometimes the unsupportive people who don’t “get you” are your family and friends, and you have to go outside your normal networks to find your soul family and your like minded peeps who will support you in ways your family/friends can’t. It doesn’t make your family wrong. It doesn’t make your friends wrong. It doesn’t make you right. It just means you are different. We all have people in our lives for seasons, reasons or a lifetime. Each person in your life has different skills, capacities and paths to walk. They each have a contribution to make to you, and vice versa. Some people (even your family) are simply not equipped to be supportive of you for the path you are walking. That is a painful fact to hear for many people. But, the good news is that the Universe always puts people in your life to support you, but you don’t get to choose where that support comes from.
Sometimes you have to go outside the ones you most love in order to find the love you need right now. That is completely okay and a very common theme for many people. Once you surrender to this and open up in readiness to receive that support, you will find that new people naturally flow into your life (through synchronicity and coincidence – look for the signs!) who are the exact type of people you wanted and needed to “get you” and support you.

Seven:
Never ask of someone more than they can give – sometimes you have to realise that people have a perspective and experience of life that is very different to your own (due to the way they have been raised and conditioned) which greatly influences how they love, support and advise others. They only know what they know at that moment, and you may need something that is beyond their capacity to give you. Stop fighting this truth and pushing to get blood from a stone, and love them just as they are – then turn your attention to your own path forward.

Eight:
Your energy is best spent on fully and unapologetically expressing who you are (just as you are) without concern for whether people understand you or not, rather than expending your energy on pleasing others.
Why? Because when you do express yourself fully and without concern, you will literally magnetically attract the people who most align to your values and energy, and as a result form a new network of inspiring, supportive and understanding people in your life (NOTE – you have to shine your true self and fearless energy in order for those supportive people to see your light and navigate towards you. Think of yourself like a lighthouse!)

Nine:
The people you need to be connected to (the ones that you are here to serve/contribute to, and in turn the ones you are here to be supported/leveraged by) will “get you”. You must trust in this fact, they do exist. Trust that there is a bigger picture and a flow to life that carries you away from unsupportive people that limit you and toward the people that will love and unleash you.

Ten:
Often you have to be willing to walk away from the unsupportive people who don’t get you, in order to make room in your life (energetically) for the people you need to show up. This is an exchange of energy and space.

Eleven:
Your job in life is never to convince/persuade anyone of your worth and value. Your worth and value are inherent. Nothing you do or say, or don’t do or say, or what anyone else says or believes is going to change that. So instead of convincing or persuading anyone of your worth, rather simply know your worth and live from it as a statement to the world. That statement is the most powerful thing. Let people make up their own mind when they witness you flying freely.
NOTE – There is a massive difference between confidently and openly sharing your worth and value, versus trying hard to convince someone of your value (same type of words/conversation, totally different intent and energy behind it).

Twelve:
No one can see the real you if you are busy being fearful and stuck in negative energy, worrying about how to be understood, complaining about being misunderstood, and feeling unsupported and beat-up on by life. In that state, you invite criticism, as people see you wobbling and shaking and denying your own value, which opens you up to endless reams of unnecessary advice and opinions, when all you really needed was to believe in yourself!

Thirteen:
Even if someone doesn’t understand you, that doesn’t mean they don’t respect you. You can observe people in this world yourself that you really don’t “get” (you don’t understand how they think, how they operate or how it is they do what they do) and yet at the very same time it is entirely possible to still see their beauty, individuality, uniqueness and gifts.

Fourteen:
When someone in your life is unsupportive and doesn’t “get you” and they are someone who you love, value and want to have in your life, then take the time to help them understand you. People are not mind-readers, they will only know what they see, hear and what you share. So take the time to share with them very authentically – what you are about, what you value, what is important to you, why you do what you do, what you believe in and then let go… After sharing you must let go of the need to have them understand, and rest easy in the knowledge you have done all you can do and all that is asked of you – you are being your true self. If they still don’t get you or support you, then honour yourself and walk away.

Fifteen:
You never have to apologise for who you are, to ANYONE. You may do things that aren’t ideal, you may make mistakes, you may express yourself in less than optimal ways if your emotions get the better of you… that is called being human. You can apologise for things you have done, and make amends if you’ve caused someone pain, but NEVER apologise for the heart of who you are. There is a big difference.

Sixteen:
Being crazy, weird, different, outrageous, a dreamer, a believer, a trail blazer, an outlier, an oddity… is to be celebrated. Notice when you crave being ‘normal’ in order to fit in and to gain acceptance – if you have to suffocate your soul (the real you) and adapt yourself into a societally accepted mould of ‘normal’ in order to do so, then STOP. Walk away from anyone and anything that boxes you in and suppresses your “non-normal-ness”! Start every day with open eyes looking for the people who reflect your own values and freedom of expression and spend your time with them. If you can’t see them in your own life currently, state that you are ready to meet these types of people and then pay attention in your daily life – because they will show up… it is just a matter of time. Perhaps you can’t see them yet because you’re so busy trying to be accepted by the unsupportive people you don’t need in your life.

Seventeen:
When it comes to making heart-led decisions to follow your own goals/dreams – be those personal or professional, be those small or big – you do not need to justify or explain those decisions to ANYONE. You cannot evidence or prove with fact what you simply know in your gut to be right for you… it’s called intuition. Intuition is your best navigational tool and sometimes there is no explanation for where it leads you. It is your soul speaking to you, it guides you into your purpose in life. Intuition is just as valid and real as logic.

Eighteen:
When authentically and courageously owning your purpose on this planet and doing what you know in your heart you are called to do… then in the face of anyone who judges you, who excludes you, who questions your logic, method or motive with negativity – remember, they are simply projecting their own pain. They have nothing to add and no value to offer you. Their negative energy is a reflection of their own inner blocks and their own life lessons to learn. You need not be drawn into that vortex. It is not your job to fix them, to change their minds, to help them or to be a victim of their barrage. Draw boundaries, cut ties, move on and you will always flow into the path of people who “get you” when you finally have the courage to remove those who don’t.

Nineteen:
When following your dreams, there will be people in your support network who give you advice and offer help. They will do so out of their love for you. Some of it will be invaluable. Some of it will be completely misguided and have the power to sabotage you. It most likely will come from the people who might “get you” personally but don’t get what you are doing or why you are doing it. They may not understand that you are led by your inner voice. They will want to protect you from yourself, from making mistakes and from suffering unnecessary “failure” (their own scenario planning of all the ‘what ifs’ that could occur as you step out bravely in your life).
Their love for you is what lies behind this advice, but what also lies behind this is their own fear. Be peaceful in the face of their fear, it is not their fault. Fear has a way of taking over people. You can witness it and be loving, and then continue walking your path forward irrespective.

Twenty:
Don’t try to change people. It is each individual persons decision and responsibility as to whether they evolve, whether they show love and compassion, whether they listen and support – you cannot force that upon people. You can share your insights without attachment to what the outcome will be when they hear you. You can offer to support them, without judgement if they do not want support. But each person must come to their own awakening in their own time. You can lead a horse to water but if you try to force it to drink it will become incredibly irritable and possibly stampede all over you!

Twenty One:
The way you can best be of service to yourself, the world and those who don’t understand you is to simply carry on your path with your head held high, not wavering in the face of challenges, opposition, questions and pain. Be a conqueror. Be a pioneer. Be a leader of your own life. Whoever comes with you on that journey is meant to. Whoever does not, was not.

Twenty Two:
The primary reason you want people to understand you is because you want reassurance that who you are is okay, that what you want to do is the “right” thing, and you want people to trumpet that support around you to make you feel more secure and sure on your path. You may want this, and most people do. But do not mistake want for need. You do NOT need that. You can forge a path of truth, passion, purpose, creativity, abundance and excitement, and live your full life and achieve your greatest potential and contribution into this world and not have one single person supporting you while you do so! It does not matter. What matters is that you did what you were put on this planet to do.

Twenty Three:
When you feel lonely, and you sense that no one is with you in your path, and you wish you were understood and that you had people around you to wrap you in love… remember this – there is a transition period that occurs when you step up to live as the real you, creating change and making new things happen (transforming inside of yourself or outside of yourself). In that transition period you step beyond the stories and limitations you once lived within, you step beyond the illusion of who you thought you were, what you thought was important and instead become more of who you really are underneath (deep in your heart – your soul self). Often when this happens you start to notice that the people you spent most of your time with before suddenly do not resonate with you or you do not resonate with them. It can feel lonely. That is very normal. As you transition, you will flow into new people that resonate with you and you will form new networks more aligned to your purpose and your values. It is does NOT mean that new connections replace your existing network. It means your network grows. You enrich your life with more love and more people. You will have those who knew you before who do not get the ‘new you’. You will have those that have known you always and stayed with you on your path (embracing you in all stages of your evolution – personally or professionally). And, you will have those who you meet on the other side of your transformation and transition. The more the merrier!

Twenty Four:
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS POINT – When you realise people in your network (family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues) don’t get you and don’t support you, there is a moment where you are faced with two options. Your courageous heart and your “soul reason” for being alive would choose one option, while your fear and need for acceptance and belonging would choose the other. Here are the options – (A) You play small. You stay quiet. You silence your voice. You ignore your knowing. You avoid standing out. You toe the line. You align your life to keep the peace. You make other people’s expectations the guiding force of your life. You do what it takes not to ‘rock the boat’, to ensure acceptance, to stay with the crowd. You cling to the desire to be liked and supported (even if by people you really don’t need to be liked or supported by!). You forgo you own needs, or (B) You play a big game and walk life in total alignment with your own inner voice and values. You say what you believe. You lovingly express what you know to be true for you. You realise that staying small would suffocate your soul and keep you from succeeding in your purpose/career/profession and personal life. You realise that the price you pay for standing out and no longer ‘fitting’ within your existing familiar network of people is a small price to pay in order for you to live the life you were put here to live. You have this ONE life, it is fleeting in the scheme of all of eternity – so what the freaking heck are going to do with it? Please, please, please – play a big game. The world needs people just like you to stand up and choose option B.

Twenty Five:
Don’t let anyone be a handbrake to your inner peace, freedom and success. EVER. Give people the chance to evolve with you. If you love them dearly, give them plenty of room to grow and give them multiple opportunities to know the real you and to make choices about what that means for them. But, over the long term and with the bigger picture view, do not let them chain you to old ways of being and old habits of doing. Life is too short to be shackled. Trust your intuition, you will know when it is time to release the handbrake.

Twenty Six:
Your thriving and success, when executed from absolute authenticity, integrity and completely aligned to your intuition, is NEVER of disservice to anyone. The notion that you doing what is best for your mind/body/soul is somehow selfish or in any way the “wrong” thing for someone else, is downright BS. Do not be upset if you have bought into that BS illusion in the past, simply know that you have greater awareness now and it’s time to offload the weight you’ve been carrying and to embrace your freedom.

Twenty Seven:
Never second guess yourself, stay anchored in what you know is real. Write it down and come back to it whenever you feel wobbly. By all means take on board valuable advice, feedback and input from others (the ones who you value), and use that to improve your knowledge, uncover your own wisdom, unlock new perspectives for yourself and adjust your course accordingly, but notice that is different from taking on negativity and fear from others and suffering blockages in your success as a result.

Twenty Eight:
Everyone will have an opinion, and many people will try to force you to live in alignment with their opinions. Opinions are aligned to beliefs. Everyone believes different things. You will never satisfy everyone, nor align to everyone’s beliefs and their view of the world and who they “think you should be”. And none of that matters. You were not born to meet the expectations of others. You were born to meet your soul’s purpose and that is all.

Twenty Nine:
If you do that confidently, the naysayers and fear mongers will dissolve away because they will simply no longer align to your energy,  and who/what shows up on your radar in life is DIRECTLY in alignment with your energy.

Thirty:
Take the emotional pain of not being understood by unsupportive people and use it as fuel for your mission to live in alignment with your truth and to create the goals/dreams that are most meaningful to you. Show yourself you can do it, no matter what any one else says. Add the pain to your sense of purpose, and let that combined energy catapult you forward.

Thirty One:
Do not be afraid to own your power. You have the heart and courage of a lion, you may simply not be used to using it.

POWERFUL SOLUTION TO FEELING UNSUPPORTED OR MISUNDERSTOOD

No matter how many unsupportive people there are in your life right now, remember there is only one voice to truly listen to. That voice lies within you. Everything else is noise.

It's tough when people around you are being unsupportive, like they just don’t "get you".

It might be challenging people in your workplace, or it might be your own family, friends or even a partner. Sad but true, even those closest to us can sometimes be unsupportive, misunderstanding us and where we're coming from.

Request:
If you know anyone who is going through this type of situation, possibly feeling confused, frustrated or alone, please share this article with them. Together we rise.

MORE THAN GOOD LOOKS: THINGS WOMEN LOOK FOR IN A MAN

MORE THAN GOOD LOOKS: THINGS WOMEN LOOK FOR IN A MAN

They say that women look for a man who is tall, dark and handsome. The truth is that it's so much more than that. There are certain traits and characteristics that women want in a potential partner. A handsome face isn't going to be enough anymore! If you're interested in what women really want, check out these major things women look for in a man:
1. Sense of Humor:
Women love men who can make them laugh. There are few things that are sexier than a man with a sense of humor. If a man can laugh at himself and doesn't take things too seriously, it makes him ten times more attractive.

2. Confidence:
Confidence is attractive to just about everyone. No one likes a guy who is
insecure and desperate . When a man has confidence, women will flock to him. Women want a man who feels secure in himself and does not doubt who he is. This is why confidence is one of the main things women look for in a man.

3. Sensitivity:
Traditionally, men have been programmed to be hyper-masculine and hide their emotions. The reality is that women appreciate a man who isn't afraid to express his feelings. They want a man who will open up to them and be emotional if he needs to be. This is why sensitivity is an important thing that women want in a potential partner. Sensitivity also helps men to be more in tune with the emotions that their partner is feeling, leading to a healthier relationship.

4. Intelligence:
While no one is saying that a man has to be a genius to get a girlfriend, intelligence is always a plus. It's nice to have someone that you can have a substantial conversation with. Women enjoy men who are cultured and can discuss various issues and subjects. Men who have knowledge about different topics are more intriguing and more likely to have women interested in them.

SOME OF THE BUSINESSES YOU CAN START UP WITH N50,000 IN NIGERIA

SOME OF THE BUSINESSES YOU CAN START UP WITH N50,000 IN NIGERIA

Nigeria is going to emerge as one of the strongest economic country in Africa but the only problem is that it has not been well managed by the government for many years. Nevertheless, people are still becoming millionaires daily from a simple business idea. Most of the millionaires in Nigeria all started with a small capital and today they are the big names all over Africa. This gives Nigerians and Africans the belief that it is possible to start a milti-million business today. In the words of Lao Tzu, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”.

Many have been asking but which type of business can I start with N50,000? Please see below some types of business you can start in 2019.

1. Recharge Card Business
2. Popcorn Production Business
3. Sales of CD/DVD’S Business
4. Shawama/Barbecue Business
5. Fast Food Business

1. Recharge Card:
Recharge card printing business can turn you into a rich person. Since the importation of recharge card was banned by Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004, Nigerians has been making money every month making and distributing recharge cards in their area, because recharge card business is a fast business in Nigeria today, knowing that almost every citizens are using mobile phone today, some are even using two, it is clear that billions of Nigerians are buying recharge cards every day.

2. Pop Corn Business:
Getting a popcorn machine and producing popcorn is also a viable business idea, the machine goes for about 45000 naira, all you need is corn, butter and sugar, that’s all! you got yourself a business!!!

3. Sales of CD/DVD’s Business:
If you don’t like Nigerian movies, I am sure you like American Hollywood movies, how about Indian, Chinese and Philippines movies? uhumm. This is a money-spinning business, but some people thought there is nothing there. Do you know how much those movies you buy for 150 naira are been sold to the retailers? In case you don’t know, their counting price is 30 Naira each in Alaba market.

4. Shawama/Barbecue Business:
This business is viable and you only need to know how to make shawarma and barbecue, you need to buy a grilling machine and get the shawarma ingredients, employ an expert and find a lucrative location (like an hotel) and that is all…no close monitoring (as your materials must be exacted at a certain proportion to equate a certain number), there is minimum risk, and there is huge profit potential, if you have the money, start this business.

5. Fast Food Business:
You can find a good location and set up a fast food joint, all you need is a kiosk, a stove, and your cooking materials (oil, kerosene, spoon, etc) and that’s all!, you can be cooking noodle, frying eggs, making teas, etc, you can be assured that you are going to be smiling home always, in the business, location is the name of the game, you need to find a good spot that is domestic and also you need to know the risk involved, and the practices of that location you want to set up your business, and you are on track to profit, it’s profitable however, it needs to be closely monitored and it usually needs the presence of the owner.

BE RADICAL ABOUT THIS!

BE RADICAL ABOUT THIS!

No matter how far down any path you might have walked, the beauty of free will is that at any point you can PIVOT on the spot and take a different journey.

It's all about REMEMBERING... anything is possible, but first you must choose to look at life that way.

Too often we look at our lives like in a limited way. We look at where you live, what we do, what we have, and we might think that's the only path.
Or when seeking to create change in our life situation we might naturally look at how to TWEAK what we're already doing. That's valid, and sometimes quite appropriate.

However, here's an equally valid strategy which will help you to remain TOTALLY OPEN to all possibilities, to maximum happiness, peace, exhilaration, possibility, expansion, and evolution...

BE RADICAL:
Imagine that your life is a clean slate. It's a blank canvas before you. Forget about where you stand, what you do, what you have or don't have right now. Imagine being FREE to create your life on that blank canvas from scratch.

If you could BE anything, what would you be?
If you could DO anything, what would you do?
If you could FEEL whatever way you wanted, what would that be?
If you could LIVE anywhere, where would you go?

BE RADICAL! Why not?!
Start from that limitless position. This will give you a cleaner, clearer, truly soul aligned viewpoint. It will reflect what your heart sings for, what lights you up, and then... you can look at how to navigate your way from where you stand to that new position.

You have permission to be that radical. This is your precious life. Go for it!!

VALENTINE'S DAY: HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR PARTNER IS 'THE ONE' BEFORE PROPOSING

VALENTINE'S DAY: HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR PARTNER IS 'THE ONE' BEFORE PROPOSING

I want to leave my partner - now what? Let’s paint a picture. You’ve been together for a while. It feels like you "get" each other. Everything is going well, and with Valentine’s Day looming you’ve been having sleepless nights wondering if now might be the right time to propose.
Of course underneath all these questions lurks an even bigger one - “How can I be sure I’ve found ‘The One’”?
Knowing you’re with someone who you can share your problems with is one of the top signs that you’ve found the right person.

The other side to this is that tricky business of accepting that a partner may not be perfect. At one level, we all know that ‘The One’ may have traits that don’t always suit us. Part of loving someone is accepting this and expecting them to do the same.
But rushing into big decisions like marriage, civil partnership or even cohabiting means you’re in deep before you’ve been able to get a clear picture of the other person and what you can actually tolerate. The old adage that the reasons we marry are often the same as the reason we divorce is true; relationship therapists sometimes find themselves working with couples where the rush to formalise a relationship has resulted in so much pain and distress.

Pressure to propose can come from all directions. Family, friends and even the celebrity culture can all make us feel that we should be taking certain steps and often doing them in a particular way. But we are better off working out for ourselves what feels right. Perhaps you aren’t actually that keen to get married but you are feeling pressure from elsewhere. Marriage is a big commitment so if this is the case you may want to reconsider rather than risk regretting it.

Relationship doubts can be scary, so if you are having them then it’s a good idea to focus on some key points.

Firstly, can you talk to your partner easily? Do you both listen to each other and not make assumptions? So many relationship issues could be sorted if couples could regain a basic curiosity in what their partner is saying to them. Few things hurt more than talking to the person you thought was your nearest and dearest and yet knowing they’ve stopped listening to you years ago. Of course the caveat to this is that you may have been saying the same thing in the same way for years too, so good communication needs to work both ways.

Secondly, are you are able to regularly check out with each other that you’re meeting each other’s needs?

Thirdly, do you have the same values? We’re not talking about the little things like whether you like the same TV programmes but the really important things that matter to you. Can you agree to disagree or does one of you always have to be the winner?

Another big question to ask is whether you both want kids. You’d be surprised to hear how many couples we speak to at Relate who have got married before having any conversations about children, only to discover later down the line that they want different things. If we’re thinking of suggesting a big commitment but haven’t considered all these points, perhaps this should tell any of us that it’s a tad too soon to be making any grand gestures.

But, if you’re still thinking that the person you’re with fits your bill, whether you propose something on Valentine’s Day or any other day is not the issue. The important thing is knowing if you have found someone who agrees that, together, you can face life’s difficulties, be confidantes and perhaps lovers (although if you both agree, sex isn’t necessary for a very happy relationship) and be able to share those milestone moments that define most of our lives.

If you’ve got that, why limit yourself to thinking that a particular day of the year is the best time to declare it? Be bold.

VALENTINE DAY STORY AND SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS. THE ORIGIN AND ESSENCE OF VALENTINE DAY

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

VALENTINE DAY STORY AND SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS.
THE ORIGIN AND ESSENCE OF VALENTINE DAY.

During the third century, an oppressive Roman Emperor called Emperor Claudius II had made it a capital punishment (death) to worship and serve Christ. He had decreed the Romans to serve and worship his gods, and deprived the young Roman soldiers of getting married. But an elderly Christian had stood his ground for his faith and had insisted on serving Jesus Christ and preaching the love of God to the young soldiers. This was considered treason against the government.

He was arrested, sentenced to death and jailed. In the last weeks of his life in the prison, the jailer (prison commander) observed that he was very learned and possessed very good Christian character, brought his blind daughter to him to be giving her lessons. He taught her about God and told her many Roman histories and stories from the Bible. He taught her the love of God. The blind girl got so used to the elderly Christian prisoner. On his last night he left a note for Julia, the blind girl, encouraging her to love God and serve Him. And ending the note, he wrote: "From your Valentine". His death sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D. The name of this martyr was Valentinus, a man who died for standing for the Preaching of the Christ and teaching people about the love of God. So, for his love for God, he was regarded as 'Saint'.

Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb; an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. During 496 AD, the Pope marked February 14 as celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

February 14, is known as Valentine Day. But the essence of Valentine Day historically was a celebration in honour of the martyrdom of a devoted preacher, Valentinus, who stood on his faith in Christ against the devilish idolatry decrees of a Godless Emperor. He preached Christ to the Roman soldiers and spread the love for God and humanity when it was a crime to do so. The day he was martyred was declared "Valentine Day". February 14, 270 AD.

However, the devil has rewritten history today. All over the world, the history has successfully been erased and rewritten the way the devil wanted. The reason for the DAY has been blotted out from people's memory and a minor aspect of the whole story had been blown beyond proportion. The little card note Valentinus had left behind for Julia, her young beloved convert, whom she taught, preached to and prayed for, had ended with: "From Your Valentine".

On February 14, in the year 270.AD, somebody died for Christ and is now in Heaven, but on February 14, this year, several people will die spiritual death. The Destinies of several young men and girls will be aborted today, because the devil had changed the reason for the Valentine Day. He had rubbed off living and dying for Christ and replaced it with living and dying on the bed of immorality.

Today, many young girls and ladies will give their virginity away for a gift of phones, ipads, bags, clothes, and even valueless gifts as little as chocolate, sweet, fried chickens and plates of pepper-soup and salad.

Evening of this year Feb 14, demons of fornication and adultery will invade our streets and storm our night clubs and hotels to take register of those who are dying soon of STDs, including new candidates who are going to harbor HIV and AIDS.

On Feb 14 this year, forces of evil are coming down on adulterated Valentine Day to possess people with the spirit of Rape and drug abuse. Imagine the amount of pregnancy preventive drugs and materials that shall be sold. Harlots will sell today. There will be Christian backsliders today.....ALL BECAUSE SOME GLORIOUS DESTINIES WILL BE ABORTED ON VALENTINE DAY.

The story of Reuben, Genesis 35:21-22a "(21) Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. (22) And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard about it."
A strange spirit came upon Reuben, the first born of Jacob, and he went and sleep with his father's young wife. Israel heard about it and said nothing. Nothing was heard about it again for many years, and we never heard that Reuben asked for forgiveness or repented or became sober about it and the matter died just like that. Really?
So many events came over it, nobody mentioned it again. He went with the rest Jacob's children to Egypt; he saw the glories of Egypt. He was welcomed into the palace of Joseph and ate with him in the royal palace. He grew and had many children and everything was going fine for him till the day their father would say the last prayers for them and give them his final decree. At the point of death, whatever he said was final for life.
He gathered them together for the final blessing and began to bless them all. But he began with Reuben, the first son, who was to be the heir who should carry the highest blessings among the children. The record was opened to his long forgotten atrocity. He thought it had been swept under the carpet. He thought he was smart and he had had a simple fun. But his father opened his mouth for his final blessing and said:
Genesis 49:3-4 (NKJV) (3) “Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. (4) Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it—He went up to my couch."
Though he was the beginning of Jacob's strength, he was supposed to be an epitome of Excellency of dignity and power. He was to be naturally blessed and was born to be a man of natural dignity and power, but....HIS DESTINY WAS ABORTED the day he had "fun" with his father's young wife. So, his own verdict was: "You shall not Excel" from a man who was anointed to proclaim a final verdict on the Sons of Israel. Reuben was destined to be a royal dignified personality above his siblings, but for that single night of 'fun' with that woman.

Many people will have a lot of lustful funs on Feb 14, and wake up Feb 15 morning as normal, but the truth is: long after a very hot pressing iron had been disconnected from the power source; it would still be hot for a while, until it begins to grow cold. Some power cable would be disconnected from the power source of some people on Feb 14. Some young men and women will place their entire life virtues and destinies in the hand of marine agents that night.

Feb 14 evening is a 'Night of Fun', when many men and ladies will slaughter their destinies on the bed of lustful pleasure. By Feb 15 morning it is done! Destiny Auctioned to a young man or a lady whose future has been mortgaged to the devil.
If Joseph had had a fun with Potiphar’s wife, he would never have got to the palace to see the type of Glory he saw. He escaped that trap that would have aborted his destiny on which so many lives in Egypt and Canaan land, including the lives of his generation unborn depended upon.

There is a great story in Proverbs 7:6-27. It is a sad story of a young man on his own "Valentine Night". He had thought he wanted to have a fun that night, he had thought he wanted to enjoy himself, but crashed his future in a night of fun. Proverbs 7:21-23 (21) "With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. (22) Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, (23) Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life.

I beg every child of God reading this post to send it to their loved ones especially all those whom they know have not known the true meaning of Valentine Day so that their destinies could be preserved for their glorious future. What good can you do today, brethren? Post this post to some young boys and girls who would escape the devil's traps on Valentine's Day and pray that the power of God will prevail against the desires of the devil.

May The Lord bless you as you preach, today, the true meaning of the DAY.