WHY YOU NEED TO BE DEFIANT AND DISOBEDIENT TO PRAY WELL

WHY YOU NEED TO BE DEFIANT AND DISOBEDIENT TO PRAY WELL

Consider the only one who benefits from your excuses about prayer. And there is someone...

You can go 30 days without food, three days without water, three hours without shelter, and about three minutes without air. How long can you go without prayer?

I raise the question because prayer is one of the three traditional disciplines of Lent, along with Fasting and Almsgiving. Whatever the Church recommends as a reliable source of grace, you can be sure that the Enemy wants to impede. I don’t want this to become another “prayer-nag” (that is, “You should pray more! I really mean it this time!”)—that doesn’t do anyone much good. Instead, let’s look at prayer in terms of excuses, commitments, and definitions. If we understand these properly, then we can become better stewards of our promptings to pray.

First, a clarification: Jesus did not say “pray more” or “pray better.” He called upon us to “pray always” (Luke 18:1). In other words, we have to learn to live the truth that praying isn’t like picking up the phone and dialing God’s number. Rather, prayer—that is, a prayer life rather than just a prayer time—is learning to live mindfully in the constant presence of God.

The excuse I hear most often about avoiding prayer is some form of “I’m too busy.” Whether one is too-something or not-something-enough, what matters is that the only one who benefits from our habit of not attending to God’s presence through prayer is the Enemy who hates God and hates us. What would you say to someone who claims, “I’m too busy to set the burglar alarm” or “I’m not sufficiently recollected to take this dose of anti-venom?”

The best commitment I’ve encountered to true prayer life I found when privileged to read the journal of a monastic prioress reflecting on her years in religious life. She said there were three things she was especially grateful for: 1) She received her First Holy Communion from Blessed Miguel Pro shortly before he was martyred; 2) She was able to enter the monastery at 15—the same age as St. Therese; 3) In 65 years of religious life, she never once missed a scheduled period of prayer—except when charity to neighbour demanded it. If there is a way to improve on that standard for a prayer life, I don’t know what it is.

What about a definition of prayer that can help keep us committed to a prayer life? There may be as many definitions of prayer as there are people who pray, but I want to offer a definition of prayer that you might not have encountered before: Prayer is an act of defiance; prayer is an act of disobedience; prayer is an act of rebellion.

How can prayer be an act of defiance when Jesus tells us to “pray always”? Prayer is an act of defiance when we refuse to cooperate with the Enemy’s whispers, distractions, and seductions not to pray. Praying is a way of yelling, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23)

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he taught them to call upon God as Our Father (Matthew 6:9). Satan would have us believe that we are spiritual orphans—abandoned, rejected, neglected, unprovided for, and alone. When we don’t have the habit of praying always, it’s all too easy to believe such lies. Isolation leads to despair; despair reinforces isolation. When we are separated from the life of prayer, Satan can whisper to us: “You’re alone; nobody knows; nobody cares—but you can make a deal with me. I’ll make sure that you get what you want, what you need, what you deserve.” “When the devil caresses you, he wants your soul.” That’s the warning we should hear when we consider cutting corners on prayer—what’s the response?

St. Ignatius Loyola gives us the response. When we’re tempted to cut corners on prayer, it’s time to get stubborn. He says that we must “insist more upon prayer.” Note the order of words: “insist more upon prayer,” not “insist upon more prayer.” We must not carve out a prayer time that is beyond the reach of our circumstances (e.g., a mother of three in diapers just can’t pray like a Carmelite). That leads to failure and frustration. But we can cling to our sound prayer commitments, and, in a spirit of defiance, rebellion, and disobedience, rebuke the Enemy who would have us forsake the living God who is the very lifeblood of our soul. This Lent, let’s resolve to turn to Our Heavenly Father who is always present to us, and who always wishes to bless us. Let’s keep each other in prayer.

SOME BENEFITS OF COCONUT WATER

SOME BENEFITS OF COCONUT WATER

Coconut water is amazingly refreshing and nourishing gift of Mother Nature, it can help refresh and rejuvenate your body and skin from the inside out. We will look at some benefits of coconut water everyone should know about.

What is coconut water?
Coconut water is a clear juice extracted form the inside of a young coconut. It’s a very treasured, refreshing drink in various tropical countries, which is now becoming popular in US and Europe, as well.

And now, let’s talk about the actual coconut water health benefits:
1) Anti Aging:
Coconut water contains certain substances and antioxidants that can help fight free radicals, thus, helping slow down the aging process and helping to boost your immune system, making your more resistant to various diseases.

2) Helps To Boost Your Metabolism And Improves Digestion:
Drinking coconut water regularly can help naturally boost your metabolism, thus improving your energy levels and helping your body to burn fat a lot quicker. Also, if you have problems with digestion, coconut water can bring a great relief, helping the absorption of food and reducing the occurrence of acid reflux.

3) Helps To Hydrate And Rejuvenate Your Body:
Coconut water contains 94% of water and is, actually, very low in calories. Fat free and low in sugar, coconut water can efficiently hydrate your system providing you with vitamins, potassium, enzymes and amino acids.

4) Helps Healthy Weight Loss:
Drinking coconut water on a regular basis can help not only replenish your body’s moisture and boost your metabolism, but also, it has positive effects for those trying to lose weight. This healthy drink contains no chemicals and has been used for centuries as nutritious and healthy beverage. Coconut water is low in fat, sugar and calories, but rich in nutrients and vitamins, therefore, it can help you suppress the feeling of hunger with no fear of accumulating pounds.

5) Helps To Flush Toxins Out Of The Body:
Coconut water is very beneficial for your digestive system, it helps to clean your body from toxins providing hydration and relieving fatigue.

6) The Source Of Vitamins And Nutrients:
Coconut water is an excellent and natural source of vitamins and nutrients, it contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamins of B group.

7) Beneficial For Muscles And Nervous System:
Coconut water helps to prevent spasms and cramps in the muscles and helps to improve the functioning of your nervous system.

8) How To Cure A Hangover:
Coconut water is a great hangover remedy, it can help you feel better after a girls (or boys) night out, helping to settle your stomach, improving digestion and hydrating your system, thanks to bioactive enzymes.

9) Coconut Water For Skin:
Actually, coconut water is also beneficial for your skin’s beauty and you can not only drink it, but also, you can apply it on your skin topically. It helps tone and moisturize your skin, helping it to clear up from blemishes and acne. Many cosmetic products and facial creams contain coconut extract because of it’s great effectiveness.

I hope you found it useful. Do you like drinking coconut water? Share your thoughts in the comment’s section below.

VANITY UPON VANITY, ALL IS VANITY

Guess what these things are? They are pure corpses (Dead bodies).. Report says they are unclaimed corpses at State Hospital, Otta In Ogun State hospital being given mass burial..

Now because they are without breath & of no value; can you see how they are? I am so sure very many of them years back prospered and were up & doing.... Hustling everyday, wearing the best of clothes, slaying as Queens, living in one of the posh houses in town & cruising the  best of cars. But today, just look at them! indeed life has no value after death! (Eccl 1:2. Vanity upon Vanity, all is Vanity!)

These pictures got me really thinking & asking so many questions: After death what is next? If only men will realize that when they die this is what they become or reduced into, a lot of us will stop seeing  ourselves as small gods before our fellow men.. I don't know why some men even see themselves as far above their fellow men, others intimidate & oppress just because they have made a little money or now occupying a big and exalted positions.. Nwanne look at these pictures well, they are not Nollywood film tricks or photoshop but #REAL.. Therein are both poor & rich put together, illiterate & educated, slay Queens & mgbeke all together.. If only men will understand that no matter who you are, the day you die you become valuleless & useless; then all of us will behave better towards one another; and will probably start having a mind that is always conscious of where to spend eternity after this physical fake short life!

While you live, see not yourself as better than others or anyone under you.. See no man as less human because when you die, you will become equal (#smelling corpse).. I know God is directing this message to someone..

You can make a choice today.. But before making that decision, ask yourself if death should knock now where will you be? In Heaven or in Hell??

Kill arrogance! kill pride! kill hypocrisy! And make Jesus the center of your life by simply allowing Him to be your Lord and personal Savior..

Counsel: Live every day of your life as if it's your last! Show love to everyone that comes  across you.. Support those you can support, and help those you can help.. Inspire those that needs your inspiration, and always remember to rebuke and to pray for those that needs your prayers.. Let love lead.. All is vanity upon vanity! And whether alive or death, we should always have it in mind that we are not better than nobody!

Only the positive impacts we've made will speak for us while we are alive.. And those impacts shall continue to speak for us even long after we are dead and gone! That's what we will be remembered for..

What will you be remembered for when gone?!

Have considered where you're going after this life. Give your life to Jesus Christ today.

God bless you..

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ZOBO DRINK YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ZOBO DRINK YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW

Zobo Drink is a familiar beverage. It is produced from Roselle leaves (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) and well known by Nigerian people. This bright red drink is loved both for every day and as a refreshment drink in parties. This drink has many advantages: available, affordable, tasty, refreshing and have a lot healthy benefits.

To Be More Specific Let Me Introduce You Zobo Drink Health Benefits:

>Zobo Drink for Normalization of Blood Pressure.

>One of the essential benefit of Zobo Drink to the body is a normalization of blood pressure level (prevention of hypertension).

>Zobo Drink can be used either by hypotensive or by hypertensive. Some people say that you need to drink cold Zobo if the blood pressure level is low and if the pressure level is high, Zobo drink should be warm. In truth, it is misleading; cold Zobo drink has the same benefits as warm, and hot. Just remember that you shouldn't drink it to excess.

>Zobo Drink is bright red, anthocyanins give the drink this color, they deliver activity of P-vitamin and strengthen the walls of blood vessels and regulate blood pressure.

Zobo Drink And Diabetes:

Zobo Drink has very pleasant taste so you can drink it without sugar or honey, so we can say for sure that this drink is able to control blood sugar level, which is useful for people with diabetes.

Zobo Drink And Kidney Desease:

Zobo Drink doesn’t contain oxalic and urine acid, so it can be drunk by people suffering from gout and kidney stone disease.

Zobo Drink For Weight Loss:

Zobo Drink is one of the recognized means for weight loss. This drink as already mentioned has diuretic properties, which helps to reduce weight. A fruit acids increase the metabolism (especially if to take it after food), which ultimately burns fat. To do this, you need to take Zobo Drink for three weeks, and then take a break and again to pass a 10-day course. After all, only long-term use of Zobo Drink can achieve permanent weight loss effect.

Zobo Drink And Fertility:

Zobo Drink is considered an aphrodisiac and stimulates libido, awaken sexual desire and help to maintain men’s sexual power.

Zobo Drink And Pregnancy:

Pregnant always are worried concerning what they can eat and drink and what is forbidden.

So very logical question arise if is Zobo Drink good for a pregnant woman or not.

Zobo Drink is not advised in the first trimester, because it can reduce oestrogen level and can provoke menstruation and as a result miscarriage.

Zobo is safe for pregnant women after the first trimester when pregnancy is established and in this case even have potential benefits.

Zobo Drink And Breastfeeding:

It is not well aware if it is safe to drink Zobo during breast-feeding, so it is better to abstain from drinking Zobo during this important period.

Zobo Drink is a wonderful refreshing drink, there is no hesitation that it has various benefitial qualities:

*Reduces Cholesterol,

*Strengths Blood Vessels,

*Prevents Influenza and

*Other Respiratory Diseases,

*Makes "cleaning" in the body in the case of Alcohol Intoxication,

*Helps to control harmful Microflora,

*Vitalize the growth of useful bacteria.

It is not a secret that Zobo Drink has a slight calming effect, settles the nerves, diminishes stress. It is absolutely gentle drink, but remember measure is treasure!

ZOBO DRINK

ZOBO DRINK

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>This is why you should be careful with Zobo Drink.

>Do you know what disadvantages of Zobo Drink are there?

>Learn more about the side effects of this drink and how to get the best out of it.

What Is Zobo Drink?

If the phrase “Zobo Drink” does not make any sense to you, then you probably know this drink as Hibiscus Tea, Sour Tea, or Karkade.

Given its numerous health benefits, people from all over the world enjoy this drink occasionally. So, let’s find out why it is good for your health first.

Side Effects Of Zobo Drink:

(It reduces the number of oestrogen in your body)

This is only the issue for women who have the issue with the menstrual cycle. When you drink Hibiscus on a regular basis, it can slow down the process of oestrogen production.

So, if you already have problems with this in your life, then consider staying away from Karkade for a while. Besides, you should also remember that women taking birth control pills should stay away from the tea too, because of its specific properties.

Thus, if you have such problem, then opt for some other tea instead of this one and eliminate it from your daily diet at all.

It Affects The Blood Pressure:

People suffering from low blood pressure should also stay away from drinking this tea. It is very helpful in case you have hypertension syndrome, as it can easily bring the blood pressure on significant levels. But in case you have low blood pressure, then Karkade is not an option for you.

It will make it even lower, and as a result of working together with pills you are taking to prevent this health issues, you can feel even worse. Therefore, watch out and make sure you know this before you consider having Sour Tea on a daily basis.

It might cause hallucinogenic signs, you might feel light-headed after drinking the Zobo Drink. The thing is that all the properties combined in it can lead to intoxication. So, if you work as a driver or drive a lot, then having Hibiscus Tea is not the best idea. Some people even reported getting hallucinogenic signs after drinking it on a regular basis. So, be careful as it can cause serious troubles.

It Prevents Pregnancy:

Some women reported that this kind of drink hadn't let them get pregnant. It is scientifically proven, but since we know that it can be harmful to your oestrogen levels, it can apparently prevent women getting pregnant.

So, if you are willing to conceive a child, then eliminate Karkade from your daily ration. It can not only prevent the pregnancy but (who knows?) might even affect the fetus if you do get pregnant.

It Might Make You Less Productive:

Given how this tea works in your body, it makes your body slow down a little. And as a result, you do less work in the same amount of time you used too. So, Hibiscus Tea is great if you need to give your body some rest. But in case you want to stay productive, then you should probably substitute it with some other drink. It stimulates the menstrual flow.

Health Benefits Of Zobo Drink:

>It helps cure hypertension syndrome.

>It is packed with Vitamin C.

>It prevents early ageing.

>It helps your liver function properly.

>It has a number of antibacterial properties.

>It helps to reduce body temperature (so it can be helpful during hot seasons).

>It helps lessen the pain during the menstrual period.

>It can reduce body weight.

>Finally, it can even treat depression in early stages.

However, it is important to remember that even though it can be helpful in various ways, there are certain disadvantages of Karkade one should know about and be careful with.

The properties of Hibiscus work in such a way that they stimulate the menstrual cycle. Therefore, if some women have troubles having their period timely, then Zobo Drink is what they need to fix the problem.

However, in other cases, they should stay away from it, as it can prevent the pregnancy and stimulate it at the wrong time. So, be careful with it too.

Now, as you realise what to expect, you might change your attitude to Zobo Drink and either drink it more frequently or cut it out of your daily ration it is absolutely up to you! But bear all these factors in mind when considering Zobo Drink on a daily basis.

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE

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A question to ponder - would you consider yourself open to life or closed?

How your attitude directly impacts what you create AND attract in your life.

The common situations that trigger up negative attitudes and pessimism (forewarned is forearmed!)

*Attitude change for effectively getting through challenges.

*Attitude change for achieving your goals.

*Attitude change for opening up an awesome fresh new future for yourself.

Now back to the question....

Would you consider yourself open to life or closed?

Are you open to new people, new opportunities, new ideas, new perspectives, inspirations and adventures? Are you open to receiving gifts, blessings, leverage, support and forward momentum?

Or are you perhaps a little hesitant, a little cautious, a little risk averse, a little closed down?

There's a very interesting phenomenon that SO many people get caught up in. It's the "YES PLEASE, NO GO AWAY" game.

It's where we SAY that we're open to life and ready to go for it, but... when life serves up the next best step for us, we close the door. We second guess, doubt, question, shy away, look at life "glass half empty", take a negative attitude, close down and see problems instead of solutions.

Our words might say "yes please, come on life, bring it on!", but our overall energy vibe, behavior and attitude might be actually saying "No, go away".

I know this well, because I used to be like that! And I've seen lots of people do the exact same thing. It can be quite SUBTLE AND SNEAKY!

When you want to CREATE and ATTRACT a better life, it's so important to hone a truly powerful attitude. In this way, you best support your mind to focus on what works for you, you then feel empowered and optimistic, and you then follow through with behaviour and actions which get results.

You want to be OPEN to life so that when opportunities show up, you grab them, and when challenges show up, you gracefully deal with them. Plus when you're working on goals you're resilient and committed, and when you're creating your future you feel unstoppable!

The simple attitude changes you can adopt right now that will help you to be OPEN to life and empowered for whatever it brings.

Remember - life is what you make of it. And to make the best of it you have to choose the right attitude.

WORK WITH PURPOSE, WORK WITH PASSION

WORK WITH PURPOSE, WORK WITH PASSION

Work_Unto_Lord

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. (Colossians 3: 23)

The apostle Paul told the Colossians about that higher purpose. He even addressed the slaves, who felt the horrific pressure of feeling they had no choice. He let them all know that they did have the power of choice - the choice of focus and the choice of attitude!

They could decide in every situation to focus on Christ. They could recognize that the leader they ultimately answered to was none other than the Lord Himself even if they had a demanding boss, bad working conditions, and arduous tasks, they did not have to stew in unmanageable stress and bitterness. They could focus their gaze on the One Who adored them, cared for them, comforted them, walked with them, and worked within and through them. Christ within them was their Hope, and through Him, they could do all things. (Philippians 4: 13)

With that new perspective, for the Colossians as well as for you and me, the fatigue begins to lift. The resentments begin to dissipate. The determination to change only when someone else acts better starts to be replaced by personal responsibility to do one's best, no matter what.

Reflect on that. Remind yourself, I'm not doing this for "them." It's for the Lord! My love for Him is fueling my efforts! Therefore, I will work at it with all my heart, and I won't stop until He leads me elsewhere. I understand that though I may not understand why I'm right here, God sometimes assigns a light to shine in a dark place where it's really needed. The tasks may not be pleasant, but pleasing Him with my very best is.

So I will work with my whole heart as an offering of praise to the Lord. This day and every day, will you join me?

Lord, no matter what I'm assigned to do, I want to keep my eyes on You. As I live out Your purposes of Love, may I never block the intensity and passion You want to show through me. You are my Lord - the One I want to please in my every action.

THE FEAST OF ANNUNCIATION; 25th MARCH

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THE FEAST OF ANNUNCIATION; 25th MARCH

What If She Had Said No?

The question may strike you as irreverent. How dare I suggest that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, Tower of David, and all the other titles, could have left us in the lurch like that?

But What If She Had?

Could she have said No? You might say that of course she couldn’t, she was far too holy — but you would be guilty of demeaning and dangerous sentimentality. It is demeaning because it turns Our Lady from a free human being into a sanctified automaton. The whole glory of the Annunciation is that Mary, the second Eve, could have said No to God but she said Yes instead. That is what we celebrate, that is what we praise her for; and rightly so.

This sentimental view is dangerous too. If we believe that the most important decision in the history of the world was in fact inevitable, that it couldn’t have been otherwise, then that means it was effortless. Now we have a marvellous excuse for laziness. Next time we’re faced with a tough moral decision, we needn’t worry about doing what is right. Just drift, and God will make sure that whatever choice we make is the right one. If God really wants us to do something he’ll sweep us off our feet the way he did Mary, and if he chooses not to, it’s hardly our fault, is it?

So Mary could have said No to Gabriel. What if she had? He couldn’t just go and ask someone else, like some sort of charity collector. With all the genealogies and prophecies in the Bible, there was only one candidate. It’s an alarming thought. Ultimately, of course, God would have done something: the history of salvation is the history of him never abandoning his people however pig-headed they were. But God has chosen to work through human history. If the first attempt at redemption took four thousand years to prepare, from the Fall to the Annunciation, how many tens of thousands of years would the next attempt have taken?

Even if the world sometimes makes us feel like cogs in a machine, each of us is unique and each of us is here for a purpose: just because it isn’t as spectacular a purpose as Mary’s, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. When we fail to seek our vocation, or put off fulfilling some part of it, we try to justify ourselves by saying that someone else will do it better, that God will provide, that it doesn’t really matter. But we are lying. However small a part I have to play, the story of the Annunciation tells me it is my part and no-one else can do it.

Faced with the enormity of her choice, how was Mary able to decide? If she said No, unredeemed generations would toil on under the burden of sin. If she said Yes, she herself would suffer, and so would her Son; but both would be glorified. Millions of people not yet born would have Heaven open to them; but millions of others would suffer oppression and death in her son’s name. The stakes were almost infinite.

You might say that Mary didn’t worry about all this, just obeyed God; but I don’t believe it. What God wanted was not Mary’s unthinking obedience but her full and informed consent as the representative of the entire human race. The two greatest miracles of the Annunciation are these: that God gave Mary the wisdom to know the consequences of her decision, and that he gave her the grace not to be overwhelmed by that knowledge.

When we come to an important decision in our lives, we can easily find our minds clouded by the possible consequences, or, even more, by partial knowledge of them. How can we ever move, when there is so much good and evil whichever way we go? The Annunciation gives us the answer. God’s grace will give us the strength to move, even if the fate of the whole world is hanging in the balance. After all, God does not demand that our decisions should be the correct ones (assuming that there even is such a thing), only that they should be rightly made.

There is one more truth that the Annunciation teaches us, and it is so appalling that I can think of nothing uplifting to say about it that will take the sting away: perhaps it is best forgotten, because it tells us more about God than we are able to understand. The Almighty Father creates Heaven and Earth, the Sun and all the Stars; but when he really wants something done, He comes, the Omnipotent and Omniscient, to one of his poor, weak creatures — and he asks.

And, day by day, he keeps on asking us.

THE LIFE LESSONS SCHOOL DOESN’T TEACH YOU

THE LIFE LESSONS SCHOOL DOESN’T TEACH YOU

It’s so true that this life thing can be tricky, but there are certain tricks to get around it.

Ironically, most of us spend at least 12 to 16 years of our lives in school yet, we don’t learn much about real life during our time there.

After school, we’re thrown in the black hole called life where all the quadratic and simultaneous equations learned won’t do anything to help you.

If you’re lucky, like some of us, you’d have one or two lecturers who take their time to include hints on how this life-after-school thing works during lectures.

I rolled my eyes each time our Professor advised us to learn skills outside the four walls of the classroom. I didn’t know it was the voice of the gods at the time.

The first few months out of school made my closure move so far back, everyone thought it was a ponytail.

Anyway, These Are Some Life Skills That Will Help You Stay Grounded:

1. Focus:

Distractions will come at you like the harmattan wind on a January morning. You need to be selfish about what you give attention and spend your time on.

You won’t get an extension on this 24hrs we’re all trying to work with. Stay focused.

2. Communication Skills:

People won’t read your mind to know your thoughts. You owe it to yourself to be heard. Learn to communicate your intentions, value, and worth well.

3. Emotional Intelligence:

Even at Ph.D level, nobody will teach you not to have the attitude of a caveman. It’s necessary to apply common sense to our dealings with emotions. Try to know what emotions you’re feeling per time and that of the people around you. Read the room, be guided.

4. Crying Is Therapeutic:

When that wave of emotions hit you, don’t start forming hard man. Don’t fight it. Tears are your body’s release valve for stress, sadness, grief, anxiety, and frustration. Studies suggest that crying stimulates the production of endorphins, our body’s natural painkiller, and “feel-good” hormones.

5. How To Judge People Correctly:

In college a person is your friend or foe, but in life you just can’t guess what relationship you share. A “somebody” at office may proof to be a “nobody” at the time of need. A good friend at the office may cut off your chance of promotion because he has to make his own way. So you have to learn how to identify the traits of people around you. Actions may contradict the words.

6. Saving Money Isn’t Easy:

The quest to explore life, the thrill of being 100 feet in the sky, the joy of savoring the red wine in a vineyard, the scuba diving experience with the corals and sea creatures. For any of these adventures, you need some savings, which isn’t easy. Your paycheck will always have somewhere else to go–buying food, clothes, paying the bills, visiting your parents. And you’ll notice there won’t always be a lot left over after this.

7. Self-love Is Everything:

Make friends with yourself. Treat yourself like you would treat someone you cherish. We spend far too much time being our own worst enemies. Criticise and condemn yourself less often and improve yourself. Be your number one cheerleader.

HOW TO USE THE POWER OF YOUR POSITIVE ENERGY

HOW TO USE THE POWER OF YOUR POSITIVE ENERGY

"Life is not happening to me. I am happening to life"

The Power of Your Positive Energy:

You have the power to change your life by the positive energy you bring to each day.

Here's what you most need to know about energy:

Everything about you is energy – including your beliefs, thoughts and feelings.

The world around you is also purely energy – everything and everyone you see, and everything you can't see!

You are living in an energetic world, underpinned by energetic laws. Some people call these the Laws of the Universe.

Your personal energy is always “speaking” to the Universe (the energy around you). You imprint your energy on the world as you go about your daily life – projecting your beliefs, thoughts, feelings, choices, behaviour and actions. You are like a radio tower giving off signals!

That frequency of energy you put out is being “received” by life (by the energetic Universe that you're a part of), rippling outward and creating impacts on the world around you. This influences what you experience and your outcomes.

And most importantly the energy you put out is telling life WHAT YOU WANT MORE OF.

Your Positive Energy Attracts More Positive Energy!

If you hold positive energy, you're telling the Universe that you want more of that same type of positivity in your life. This has the power to create beneficial results, and it attracts in more energy of that same kind (e.g. positive people, positive opportunities, synchronicities and flow).

If you hold negative energy, you're essentially telling the Universe (energetically) that you want more of that same type of negativity. This has the power to create difficulties, and it attracts more energy of that same kind (e.g. negative people, challenges and other frustrations).

This is called the Law of Attraction, which you've undoubtedly heard about!

You attract and repel energetically on this basis. You experience more of whatever matches your own energy.

It's not new-age. It's not spiritual. It's not something you believe in or don't believe in. It's just energy and how energy works.

Now, of course you don't ever INTEND to put out negative energy.

It's not like you would do that on purpose… but nevertheless, that is what's happening if you're consistently believing and thinking in limited ways, feeling bad, choosing, behaving and doing things in a negative way. You're unconsciously projecting a message to the Universe that says “send me more of this funky bad energy!”

The Confusion Many People Have:

The challenge many people have is that they say positive things, and say they want positive things, but they don't really believe what they're saying, and/or they don't feel that way.

And, the Universe is not listening to just what you say you want. It is paying attention to overall energy vibration – based on what you believe, think, feel, say, choose and do.

Remember – the Universal Laws are based on ENERGY.

The Universe doesn't come and ask you what you really meant before delivering results to you!

So… you're responsible for ensuring that whatever ENERGY you bring to each day is a very clear message to the Universe, and that it corresponds to what you actually want.

How to Check What Energy You're Projecting:

The easiest way to know what type of energy you are actually projecting into the world is to ask yourself one question…

HOW DO I FEEL?

Your feelings are a very quick way to gauge whether your energy is positive or negative.

Positive Energy Doesn't Happen by Mistake:

The most important decision you make each morning is what energy you choose to bring to the world that day.

Remember… you have the power to consciously choose and cultivate positive energy.

People with positive energy (who hold that on a reasonably consistent basis), don't end up that way by mistake.

They create it for themselves.

If you want to be happier, to have more flow in your life, to overcome challenges, to find solutions, to achieve your goals, to have awesome people around you, to have love, opportunities, adventure and success – get VERY INTERESTED in your energy and learn how to dial it up to positive on a daily basis.

WAYS OF CONTROLLING YOUR ANGER

WAYS OF CONTROLLING YOUR ANGER

Many people have landed themselves in trouble because they could not control their anger.

Anger is a natural emotion but if you don’t tame it, like fire, it can consume you and cost you a lot. If you find anger getting the better of you then you should definitely read this. The good thing about anger is that it is not instantaneous. You usually feel it rising so you can manage it.

1. Take A Walk:

When you feel anger is triggered, you will need to vent so a walk can help it dissipate because you are letting out pent up energy.

2. Count:

One way of suppressing anger is by seeking ways to relax and counting can do it for you. To be more effective, you could count backward. In this way, you take your mind off the matter and before long, your heart rate slows down and your temper is under control.

3. Take Some Time:

When you are angry, you will most likely wish to respond immediately and if you do, you may regret what you say. Therefore, if someone has angered you (and it is not face-to-face), give yourself some hours before responding so you can do so with a clearer head.

4. Practice:

If you went with the option above to wait it out, then you will need to decide beforehand what you will say. If you have to write down your talking points to avoid an outburst, then do so.

5. Talk It Out:

You need to get it out in some way. So rather than vent at the person, call up a friend to just rant. You will feel better.

6. Find Something Funny:

At times, humour can make the worst situations better. Therefore, just find something funny in the matter and laugh about it. You will feel better.

The point is that anger, when unchecked, can be very dangerous. Take this write-up seriously.

MY DEAR BRETHREN

My dear, Brethren.

Today, I want us all to thank God from the dept of our hearts. For His Mercies, Guidance and Protection. Call Him the name you loved calling Him. Call Him that name or give Him the glory an praise in thanksgiving and appreciation.

However, one can easily say: (I have been doing it before, I have been thanking God, so why asking me to give Him thanks). Another may say; Why should I even thank God since my prayers are yet to be answered. Another may say, how can I praise God when am hungrg? How can I thank Him, while He refused to heal me of my sickness? And I have been coming to His presence in the Church in worship for more than two years now yet no leave no transfer. Why should I even thank Him when evil people progress in all they do?

Beloved, all these questions we tend to ask are good questions. But listen carefully to what I have to share with you. I wouldn't want to share things that happened two years ago or a year ago or even months ago as that may seem out dated.

Let me start from sad news around the world before coming down to Nigeria. On sunday 10/3/019 - a passenger air plane in Ethiopia carrying 147 people crashed minutes after take off. All the people in that plane died agonizing death. No one, I repeat no one survived. Note that these people who died are someone's husband, brother, uncle, mother, father and family bread winner aaaah ayayaya!!!!.

On Friday 15/3/019, a gunman shot 50 people dead in a mosque in Newzland. These are also bread winners, someone's father, brother, mother and uncle etc.

On thursday 14/3/019, Flood swept a whole town on Indonesia and killed uncountable.

On Saturday 16/3/019, a cyclone that passed through South Africa, Zimbabwe  and Malawi killed, 130 people combined. These are still humans like me and you with relations as we do.

Now lets come home to Nigeria, On Wednesday 13/3/019, (last week Wednesday) there was a building collapse in Lagos state. Hope you know how many people and children who died in there? Someone's 3 children died in there. What a tragic death? Hope you are aware that these children who died in there are someone's children and hope for future? Can you imaging the type of sorrows and agony that will be running through the veins of their parents and relations?

Ok let's torch light event. The same last week Wednesday, a trailer failed break at upper Iweka and killed, 6 people instantly while, 14 others sustained serious injuries. Some with broken legs, arms, hand, head etc. Some will have their leg or arm amputated as a result of the accident. These are people who woke the same way we all did.

Now think very well that you are alive but things are going well with you and death which one will you chose? Assuming I was among those who died or sustained injuries last week or my relations or your relations how will you feel? May be by now I or you might have deposited, #300,000 in the hospital.

Please, dear Brethren, get on board and thank Merciful Jesus...... He's worthy of our praise, our adoration and praises!!!!!! He's worthy!! Only Him alone does it for us out of His unending Mercy. "Great is thy Mercy and Faithfulness Oh God".

Thank Abbah Father for my life, for my family and upon my relations. Thank you for protecting, guidance and care upon me and family, in Jesus name, Amen.

For those who lost their life, grant them eternal rest, console their families and loved ones and may their souls rest in peace.

For all injured, by your Mercy Oh Lord, grant them quick recovery in Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen.

https://omasirichukwu.blogspot.com/?m=1

SOME WAYS TO STOP LYING TO YOURSELF AND START LIVING AUTHENTICALLY

SOME WAYS TO STOP LYING TO YOURSELF AND START LIVING AUTHENTICALLY

"The most dangerous lies are the lies you tell yourself." - Unknown

The above quote is definitely a truth moment!

Forget about other people pulling the wool over your eyes, it's more likely the fibs you unwittingly tell yourself will be more harmful than the fibs anyone else might tell you!

Never in my life have a met a bigger liar than myself, which is a pretty bold statement, considering that I can’t think of the last time I actually told someone a lie. Well, that statement isn’t fully accurate. Actually, it’s a lie…ugh! What I should’ve said was that I can’t think of the last time I actually told someone not named somebody a lie, because to be honest, I lie to myself ALL THE TIME!

*I lie when I wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and tell myself that I’m fat and out of shape.

*I lie when I think of an exciting new idea, but convince myself that people will think it’s stupid or that I’m not creative enough to see it through to something tangible.

*I lie when I see people having a great time on social media and tell myself I’m just not as much fun as them or I would’ve been invited along.

We all lie to ourselves every day without even realizing it and those lies, over time, start to chip away at who we are and block us from becoming who we were created to be. It’s time we break some unhealthy habits and replace them with new ones, starting with this whole lying thing.

Here Are Some Simple Ways We Can All Get To Work Today To Start To Revealing Our Truest, Most Authentic Selves:

1. Pay Attention:

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably great at noticing and maybe even calling out those around you whenever you catch them in what you perceive to be a lie. Constantly correcting others is a great way of validating our own inner belief systems and making each of us feel more comfortable existing in our own lies, but it benefits no one.

So, the next time you feel like calling someone out on their lie, try staying quiet and asking yourself what about that lie is hitting a nerve inside you. More often than not, the lie is a reflection of something within you that you’re unhappy with or unwilling to address. So, ADDRESS IT. By simply taking a moment to process your emotions and asking WHY from time to time, you will start to find more clarity on your own negative self-talk.

2. Change Your Language:

My best friend once said to me that on my worst day, I would not say a fraction of the things to my worst enemy that I say to and about myself in any given moment. My negative self-talk was BAD and she was 1,000 percent correct. Also, she’s a licensed therapist, so when she speaks…I LISTEN.

In order to fix this, you can take the same approach as me. Don’t say negative things about yourself or about others. This can be difficult, but if you really pay attention and focus on speaking uplifting words into yourself and others, your life will begin to change and the negative self-talk will diminish.

3. Show Yourself Some Grace:

This last one was huge for me, but so important. In some areas, we’re all successful mature adults, but in others, we’re still stuck in a childlike mentality. When it comes to negative self-talk, many of us tend to be stuck without even knowing it, so we make mistakes that damage our lives, even though that was never our intention.

If you start paying attention and adjust your language, your life will improve, but it won’t be instant and the work will never end. That also means you will fall short from time to time and I’m here to tell you…THAT’S OK. Show yourself some grace in those moments, give yourself a hug and try to do better the next time, because there will be a next time.

You are loved, you are special and you will make many mistakes in your life. The trick is learning from those mistakes, adjusting and actively choosing to speak truth into your daily life. If you can do that, the sky’s the limit for your happiness and there is nothing more authentic than a life well lived.

The more honest we are with ourselves, the bigger, bolder, better and more beautiful our lives become!

DEFENSIVE ABOUT FEEDBACK

DEFENSIVE ABOUT FEEDBACK

 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (James 1: 19).

For we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.  (Romans 8: 28).

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (Romans 8: 1).

How well do you take feedback? Do you bristle, internally (or verbally) argue with the observer, or quickly search for a counter-punch? Christ put us into His body, and He ordained that we should help one another and maintain accountability with each other. When someone shares with you an aspect of yourself that you don’t want to accept, do you seriously reflect on it, take their perceptions into account, and make any necessary changes?

Openness to learn about yourself is essential if you are to grow and develop in your faith and in your life. It is especially important if you hope to influence others positively. As a person of influence, you often set the tone for the communication styles of those around you. If you are defensive, or if you portray a “know-it-all” attitude, that response will be contagious.

Yet sometimes when that’s happening, you don’t even know it. You may think you’re doing just fine, while others in your orbit are cringing or withdrawing.

If You Struggle With Taking Feedback, These Suggestions May Be Helpful:

1. Be ever aware of signals from others that answer the question, “What’s it like to be on the other side of me?” Even ask:

We often judge others by their actions, while we judge ourselves by our intentions! Despite our good intentions, we often come across in ways that are offensive or unhelpful to others. When this happens, shouldn’t we want to know it so that we can change it? Some are afraid of what they will hear if they do this. In the workplace, managers who not only conduct appraisals of employees but also ask employees to tell them how they can perform better enjoy greater respect. Team members who ask co-workers or bosses how they can improve inspire more cooperation and grace.

2. Realize that even unfairly negative criticism often contains a grain of truth:

It would be much more palatable if all feedback were delivered constructively. However, you sometimes don’t have that luxury. Even if legit criticism is not given tactfully, you may be able to learn from what the person is saying. Though there may have been some misperceptions or distortions, ask yourself, “What can I learn here about how my actions are perceived, and how can I improve my communications or behavior so that I have the impact I intended?” (I must add a note here: ignore hateful abusers whose sole goal is to tear you down! Their words may contain no truth at all!)

3. Fight the tendency to be defensive:

This is a tough one. Defensiveness can be expressed in words (e.g., “You don’t understand”; or “But…”) or in nonverbal signals (e.g., angry facial expression; tight lips; or tightly folded arms.  It’s hard not to show it when you don’t like or don’t agree with what you hear. Remember, though, that if you keep an open mindset, which will show up in your behavior, you’re apt to learn something you can use to continue to grow.

4. Don’t condemn yourself or let others condemn you:

It’s one thing to focus on a specific behavior that can be improved. It’s another to feel generally ineffective or bad as a person. In the latter case, you may become discouraged to the point that you don’t feel like trying. You may feel paralyzed, believing that it’s no use, that you’re a hopeless case. This is not true! So keep your focus on specifics, and make small steps in the direction of positive change. God says that there's no condemnation for the believer!

It's not easy to learn that others have mistaken your intentions or that they see you less positively than you’d like. With the exception of hateful abuse, the sharing of those impressions with you is a gift. Without such gifts, you’re likely to keep doing just what you’re doing and creating a negative impression that you never meant. As difficult as it may be, thank the person for the feedback!

Prayer:

God, grant me the grace to be willing to see myself through others’ eyes. Teach me to receive the gift of feedback without resentment or defensiveness. Thank You, Lord, for placing people around me who will share such valuable information with me. I truly want to grow, God, and become all that You want me to be. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS ARE GREEN, GO

WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS ARE GREEN, GO

Have you noticed there are times in life when you keep hitting red light after red light, like everything around you is stopping, slowing down, saying no, closing doors, creating hiccups, hurdles and road bumps? You start to wonder if you're being shown signs that you're going in the wrong direction.

And, equally, have you noticed there are times in life when it's like all the traffic lights are green, and everything falls into place, like the path is unfolding before you in divine order and timing. Life is saying, YES, GO!

We should learn how to deal with the "red light situations", when it feels like nothing is working... equally so many people get STUCK when life is actually opening up doors!

When given opportunity after opportunity, and synchronicities seem to be everywhere... sometimes we get in our own way. Hesitation, holding back, second guessing, wondering if it's too good to be true, wondering if we're ready...

Thus, as humans we get in our own way a lot, in good times and in tough times. But with awareness, and bolstering personal power, we can definitely overcome this!

YES, the opportunities were all lined up. YES, the signs and synchronicities of life made it feel like this was all meant to be. And yet... still they were holding themselves back.

Why do we hesitate and second guess? Why when life/The Universe/a Higher Power is opening up all avenues forward do we still hesitate?

Sometimes you just gotta get out of your own way, and SEIZE THE DAY.

When you know what you want, and the way becomes clear, dive in my friend!

This beautiful energy based world we live in... it responds to you, it supports you, and it moves pieces of the puzzle to open up optimal ways for you to learn, to grow, to be challenged to your next level, to enjoy, to create, to reap results.

But it can only do half the job. You have to meet it halfway. You have to say yes and to step through the doors when they open.

Will you say yes? Will you step forward?

DERICO NWAMAMA: A NAME NO REAL IGBO MAN WILL EVER FORGET!

DERICO NWAMAMA: A NAME NO REAL IGBO MAN WILL EVER FORGET!

Nigeria has had her fair share of notable armed robbers like Dr Ishola Oyenusi and Abiodun Egunjobi who terrorised the entire South-west. Lawrence Anini who dealt with the entire South-South.

And Here Is the Story of Derico Nwamama who held the Entire South-East to a stand-still (Especially Anambra State). His real name is Okwudili Ndiwe A.K.A Derico Nwamama!

Derico started out as a Street Urchin in Onitsha, then graduated to a pickpocket, and then to a dreaded Criminal whose mere mention of his name sent shivers down the spines of every single human being in the entire South East part of Nigeria.

THE RISE OF DERICO NWAMAMA!

Indeed, long before Derico became famous for his Exploits in the City of Onitsha, The entire Anambra State was under the control of another Ruthless, Merciless and Cold Blooded Armed Robber known as Chiejina...

Under the Reign of Chiejina and his gang, all residents of Onitsha were living in fear. In fact, a Policeman once told me a horrifying story about Chiejina.

He said that on 16th of February 1999, two days after valentine celebration, Chiejina, acting on a tip-off besieged a family in Onitsha hoping to get money from the man of the house, but unfortunately, the man didn’t come home with money, he had gone to the bank before going home.

Chiejina became so enraged that he grabbed the man’s 4months old son, threatened to throw the baby from a 3 storey building, and when the man and his wife weren’t forthcoming with his demands, he flung the baby from 3 storey building and shot the man twice in the head!

HE WAS THAT RUTHLESS!

In fact, Reports have it that he forced families to have incest in front of him for his own amusement. He forced Fathers to sleep with their daughters and Mothers to sleep with their sons, Refusal meant death!

Derico and Chiejina were very good friends at that time and also colleagues in the Armed Robbery Business, a friendship that started during the famous Umuleri/Aguleri War... But Derico was not based in Onitsha then, he was based in Abuja, the Federal Capital territory and only visited the east from time to time to carry out his robbery operations with maximum terror.

And after raining a torrent of bullets and gunfire upon the hapless and ill-equipped officers of the Nigerian Police and defenceless Nigerians, he would speed back to his safe haven, with his loot, safe on the laps of power, luxury and comfort.

But according to reports, wahala started in November 1999, when the then Obi Of Onitsha, HRH Obi Ofala Okagbue rallied Onitsha-Ado Youths to help curb the ever rising Crime in the City to enable indigenes who ran away to return for the Christmas Celebration of that year...

Ado youths then sat together with some of the notorious armed robbers to know how to settle them and have peace return to the City of Onitsha...

Chiejina and Derico were present in the meeting!

But after the meeting, the deadly Chiejina refused to stand down, in fact, he attacked some members of the Ado Youth and became even more ruthless in the entire State!

Ado Youths sought the help of his bosom friend, Derico but it didn’t yield much fruit, so they decided to give him a taste of his own medicine!

They liaised with Derico and some special Police Officers to raid Chiejina and his gang. The Operation was not totally successful because Chiejina was not present at the time but members of his gang were rounded up and sent to The Central Police Station, Onitsha.

When Chiejina learnt what happened, he felt betrayed by his bosom friend, Derico, and without thinking about the consequences, called on his right-hand man who also doubled as his bike man, Amobi, to take him straight to Derico’s parent’s house.

On getting there, he met Derico’s father and decorated the man with lots of bullets!!!

Derico heard about it and set out for revenge immediately, he ran into Chiejina close to Emmanuel Church at Ugwunokpamba road, Onitsha and pumped in lots of bullets into the Great Chiejina, and the Iroko of the Underworld fell into a gutter...

Derico then put Chiejina into a wheelbarrow and wheeled him to the Police Station at Isiokwe, Onitsha.

An unconfirmed report claimed that Chiejina didn’t die on the spot, that while in the wheelbarrow, he begged Derico to kill him and not take him to the Police Station alive. Derico then obliged him and pumped in one final shot to end the evil reign of one of Nigeria’s meanest Criminals!

On getting to the Police Station, Officers were dancing and celebrating, they lifted Derico up as their Hero and celebrated him as the King of the Town.

Little did they know that they just crowned a more wicked soul, the King and Protector of Onitsha!

INDEED THE DERICO YOU KNOW WAS “BORN” ON THE DAY HE KILLED CHIEJINA!

After the death of Chiejina, Derico became the undisputed Emperor of Terror in the Land. The Entire Anambra State was in the soup and the environs will not be spared too!

At some point, Derico used the town of Umuleri as his hideout.

Then from there, he would issue threatening messages to the police that they will pay for killing members of his gang.

He also maintained bases in other towns like Agbor, Benin and Asaba.

Indeed, the traders in Onitsha could not display their wares with peace while many slept with one eye open. Derico sacked commercial banks in Onitsha, carting away millions of naira. Travellers who had to pass through the state held their breath expecting the hoodlum to strike at any time.

The then Governor of the state, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, became an old man over night with worries on how to handle the menace of Derico.

He was described as the personification of terror. From Nnewi to Nkpor, down to Onitsha, up to Asaba, from the villages in Umuleri to towns in Ihiala, the old and the young, Men, women and Children were terrified at the mere whisper of Derico Nwamama.

He took over people’s Lands, Businesses, Wives and all his members including members of his family got away with anything because they were related to him!

At that time, he was said to be invisible and could not be arrested.

According to reports, Derico Nwamama killed over 200 people including 25 police officers whose lives he mercilessly wasted. He was a master of countless bus robberies and will not blink twice before pumping his hot lead bullets into the beating hearts of helpless victims.

And after his successful raids, he would boast and declare himself invincible. Derico seemed to have placed a lot of faith and confidence in the charms prepared for him by the traditional witch doctors.

Indeed, Governor Mbadinuju was not the only one worried about the reign of terror perpetrated by Derico Nwamama as even President Olusegun Obasanjo was enraged that the criminal was left to unleash terror in a part of Nigeria.

The police were helpless and had lost many men to the dreaded bandit and seemed at wits end on what to do to bring him and his gang to book. In May 2001, the Anambra State Police Command launched the Operation Derico, which was aimed at capturing Derico and his gang members at all cost.

The police managed to arrest some of Derico's men but he was still elusive as he kept operating with reckless abandon, robbing, killing and kidnapping innocent Nigerians.

THE FALL OF DERICO NWAMAMA!

In December 2000, Derico and his gang committed the worst crime known to man till date!

They attacked a 59-seater-Luxurious Bus filled to the brim at the Popular Upper Iweka. The bus was about to leave for Lagos.

After robbing every single person in the bus, they decided to kill everybody on board! Including women and children, and mercilessly, the devil himself (Derico) gave the orders and his men shot all the passengers, execution style and left them for dead! (Only 4 people survived the ordeal)!

After that horrible incident, the then Governor of Anambra State, Chinwoke Mbadinuju didn’t have any other choice but to bring in the Dreaded Bakassi Boys to help save the State.

Bakassi Boys in Action

On Tuesday, July 3, 2001, (If this date is your birthday, then u deserve one bottle of whatever your brand plus one plate of Nkwobi because that was the day Onitsha, and indeed Anambra State was liberated)!

On the 3rd of July, 2001, Derico was on a bus going from Agbor to Onitsha, on getting to the Onitsha axis of the Bridge Head, The Dreaded Bakassi Boys stopped the bus.

Sensing danger, The Crime Lord Jumped the Window to run away, but before he could make the first after jumping out, the nearest Bakassi member on the scene chopped off his left ear and that was how Derico was captured.

And For a man who thought he was above the law and could not be captured, it was funny how he started crying and pleading for his life. He was taken to Borromeo Hospital for treatment cos he was bleeding profusely.

When news of his capture broke, ever single human being in Anambra State celebrated as if it was the second coming of Christ!

Indeed, Derico met his end in an awful manner. Before then, the Bakassi Boys had developed a terrible and blood-chilling reputation for dealing with suspects and Derico's days were surely numbered from when he was caught.

On the 9th of July 2001, six days after Derico was captured at the Niger Bridge, the Bakassi Boys did to him what many had earlier predicted. Chanting war songs, they drove in their convoy around the town and ended at the Ochanja Market Junction along the popular Upper Iweka Road in Onitsha.

As their buses came to a halt, shouts of excitement and expectation rented the air. Many knew the fate that would befall Derico, so they all trooped to the spot to witness the final judgment on him.

Derico was dragged out from the bus, looking gaunt and severely beaten, a trademark of the vigilante group. His body bore cuts and gashes, a testament to what he must have gone through in their hands. He must also have known that the day of reckoning has come.

He was in obvious pains but no one seemed to care. Still chanting war songs and egged on by the enchanted crowd, one of the commanders of the Bakassi Boys named Okpompi, addressed the crowd, telling them they were in the state not for politics but to fight crime.

He handed over the microphone to the now trembling Derico who, like a coward, began begging for his life to be spared. He made feeble attempts at declaring his innocence:

“My name is Oddy, alias Derico, alias Nwa Mama. I appeal to you the people of Anambra State, please don’t kill me, I don’t like evil. It was when I killed Chiejina that people thought I am a strong guy, you know.

I trust Bakassi Boys. They are strong. Please, mercy for me. Nobody can identify me as having robbed him. People just believe that I am a strong guy.”

He confessed that while he was on the run, he was sheltered by a member of the National Assembly in Abuja. He also confessed that he had two other powerful protectors, one being a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly while the other was the chairman of a local government council.

What was to follow remains one of the most macabre displays of public executions in Nigeria. With the speed of a guillotine, a cutlass handled in the strong arm of one of the Bakassi Boys flew and came down with an unforgiving thud, landing on Derico’s slim neck. In a flash, Derico was beheaded.

TAKE A PAUSE AT THIS POINT AND PLACE YOURSELF ON THE SCENE! MIND YOU, THIS POPULAR DERICO WAS JUST 22 YEARS OLD WHEN HIS HEAD LEFT HIS SHOULDERS!!!

His severed head rolled on the floor before the crowd while his convulsing body collapsed on the ground, with bright-red blood gushing from his carotid arteries. It was as if a sacrifice to the gods had just taken place.

The crowd was satisfied and as far as the Bakassi Boys were concerned, that was a clear lesson and message to any criminal bent on making life miserable for the Anambrarians.

With the lifeless remains of Derico still lying on the floor, the people erupted in jubilation, patting one another on the backs and exchanging mutual congratulations after a monstrously grotesque show of iron and blood. That was not the end.

Razor-sharp machetes flew from different directions and chopped his pitiful remains into sizable chunks. Derico’s mangled remains were heaped up, properly rinsed with fuel and set on fire.

Derico Burnt to Ashes

AFTER HIS DEATH, LOTS OF MOVIES ABOUT HIM WAS MADE!

• BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS!!!

DEAR LADIES

Dear ladies,

Let me teach you how to show love to your man.
Some of you ladies do not know how to show love to the man you are dating. some ladies think that the only way to show a man love is by having sex with him; that is why some ladies do not have anything to offer a man except sex. Sex is not a prove of love. Don't use sex to prove that you love a man. As a lady, you can prove that you love a man in the following ways:
.
1. Buy gifts for him. You can give him gifts of T-shirts, shoes, undies, singlets or even a phone if you have the money.

2. Take him out for lunch and pay his bills at least once in 2 months. It is not bad at all.

3. Send him some love text messages occasionally.

4. Give him phone calls daily at least once daily, ask him how he is doing and tell him that you love him.

5. Occasionally you can cook a delicious meal for him, maybe once in a week or once in two weeks, but not everyday like a housewife.

6. You can also help him financially when he is broke.

7. Take him out for shopping at least once in a year, you will not die.

8. Pray for him

9. Advise him

10. Help him to build a bright future.

I know some ladies will crucify me because of this post, but this is the ideal thing to do for your man, not sex, sex sex.

Men, Did I make sense?

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU SLEEP WITH A FAN ON

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY WHEN YOU SLEEP WITH A FAN ON

When it gets too hot, we tend to use fans to relieve the heat from our bodies.

However, what most people are not aware of are the dangers fans cause when they are too close to the body or not clean.

The Following Reasons Are Why We Should Be Careful When Using Fans:

1. Having A Fan Too Close To Your Body Causes Sore Muscles:

When cool air is concentrated to a specific part of the body, the muscles tend to tense or cramp up; hence the stiffness and the soreness. It is advised to face the fan away when sleeping.

2. Air From An Electric Fan Could Be Drying Out Your Skin:

The constant and high blast of air from the fan may trigger certain reactions from the skin mostly for people who suffer from acne and other existing dry skin conditions such as eczema.

 Using moisturisers or lotions can assist when using the fan.

3. Fans Tend To Collect Dust From Miles Away:

When not cleaned often, they may pose a health risk to people with allergies or breathing problems.

The dust is noticeable on their blades, and during the night, the air disposed of the fans into the room may be full of dust.

It is advisable to look for other alternative means to relieve heat from your body other than using the fan all the time.

One can wear lighter clothes or even take a cold shower before sleeping.

Also, clean your fan regularly if your allergies and skin sensitivity are triggered easily.

THE SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE TIME NOW

THE SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE TIME NOW

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back."

- Harvey MacKay

Do you sometimes wish you could create more hours in the day, buy yourself more time, get more done with less? 

I think we've all felt that way!

While we can't magic up more time, it's a limited and precious resource, we can get SMARTER about how we spend it.

You’ve got a lot of things you want and need to get done, and maybe you’re frustrated there’s a lack of time to fit it all in. I hear you!

So here are some simple ways to save time now. These may seem like small adjustments, but once implemented the moments of time you save add up to greater freedom and productivity:

1. One-Touch Policy:

People who get a lot done typically have a ‘one-touch’ policy. That is, they never double handle anything that needs to be done.

When a ‘to do’ presents itself, instantly:

See it; Do it OR schedule it (using technology with automated reminders, not your memory!) Tick it off, delete it and/or file it.

For all the minutes spent on shuffling, procrastinating, list making, rewriting lists, thinking about what needs to be done, worrying about how to get it done – you could probably have had it done and move on! The “one touch policy” is a great way to challenge and train yourself to be more effective and productive.

2. Eliminate Noisy Nothingness:

Noisy nothingness is all the stuff that goes on day to day that you are not interested in and adds no value to you, yet all the same it can suck you in and tie you up!

Such as:

Television advertisements – they hold you in a trance in between watching interesting, valuable shows that you do enjoy. Mute the television and do something useful in the ad breaks! Read another snippet of your book, make a call, fold the washing, give yourself a foot bath, make a snack, write in your journal, plot your next holiday!

Your thoughts – shock horror! Yes, your own automatic conveyor belt of thoughts are a form of white noise. Getting lost in your thoughts could either be a form of escape, a part of creativity/inspiration (useful!), or it just a total time waster. The latter is your opportunity to take back valuable minutes. Notice how much time you spend worrying, plotting, debating and stressing inside your head. Then interrupt it and immediately DO something, get on with the business of living!

Gossip and complaining – it dresses itself up as conversation but in fact it’s not. It is instead negative, adding no value and thieving time and joy from life. Replace it with talking about things that matter or doing things that matter.

3. Challenge Your Schedule And Priorities:

Too often people believe their commitments are non-negotiable and things that are in fact optional become habit and start to look like priorities.

Make a rough list of how you spend an average 24 hour period. Mark off what is definitely immovable and where in fact you could make different choices that would save you time.

Such as:

Do you have to go to that event/catch up?

Are you spending your time with people and at places that you are interested in and which add value, or are you doing it out of obligation?

Does you really need to clean/vacuum the house and car so often? Are you overdoing things that don’t matter?

Do you need to physically go to the store to buy that gift for your friend or can you order it online? Don’t work harder, think smarter!

Do you have to work through your lunch break every single day? Perhaps you might need to on occasion, in order to make sure something important happens. But notice if you’re in the habit of never taking a break.

Do you really need to watch/read the news/latest events in the morning, during the day and at night? If you enjoy it then great! If you’re just soaking it up mindlessly, choose one slot a day to get your fix and free yourself up for other valuable activities.

TOPIC: 2; HOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED

TOPIC: 2; HOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED?

There are several strategies for treating depression. Depending upon each individual’s characteristics and symptoms, healthcare professionals may employ one or more types of psychotherapy that rely upon a sequence of interpersonal treatment sessions with a trained professional. In addition, clinicians may suggest that a patient try one of a number of different medications. Lifestyle changes, including improvements in sleeping and eating habits, physical activity and stress reduction have also proven very helpful in managing symptoms. To learn more about the many options available for treating depression, you should Know your treatment options and Take care of yourself.

KNOW YOUR TREATMENT OPTIONS

There are a number of treatment options available to patients diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder or related illnesses. The main treatments can be divided into three categories: Psychotherapy, Medication, and Neuromodulation. Additional treatment strategies, including exercise, nutrition, stress management and healthy sleep habits are described in the Take Care of Yourself section.

Psychotherapy relies upon the interchange between an individual or group and a trained counselor to help bring about positive changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Psychotherapy can take many forms: a therapist can work one-on-one with one individual, with a couple or family, or with a group of people who share common characteristics or challenges. The goal of psychotherapy is to help individuals address the issues that contribute to their depression, including resolving conflicts, improving family and work relationships, recovering from trauma or loss and learning how to deal with recurrent stresses.

Medication (pharmacotherapy)

In recent years, more and better medications have been developed to treat depression and bipolar disorder. When administered properly, medications can help many people find relief from the symptoms of depression, with manageable side effects. In cases of moderate and severe depression, medications are often essential and even life-saving. Different classes of antidepressant medications are available to help minimize the severity of symptoms, and “mood stabilizing” medications are available to reduce the frequency of episodes of depression or mania. To achieve the desired outcome from medications, an adequate dosage over a sufficient period of time is required.

Neuromodulation administers electrical or magnetic currents to stimulate the brain and alter (or “modulate”) brain activity. There are a variety of neuromodulation methods currently in use to treat a range of brain illnesses, including depression, Parkinson’s disease and tics. Neuromodulation techniques have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients who have not found relief with other treatment approaches (a condition known as treatment resistant depression, or TRD).

Depression can be a complicated illness to diagnose, treat and manage. Working with an experienced healthcare provider, you can determine which treatment option or combination of options will best help you manage your illness. For example, for most people, combining medication with psychotherapy is the most effective approach, if that can be arranged. Over time, individuals and their healthcare providers may need to try more than one treatment strategy before arriving at a successful plan. Even treatment programs that show results initially may need to be revised over time. That’s why it’s important that you understand all of the options available to you, and that you actively participate in developing, maintaining and monitoring your treatment plan.

In addition to whatever course of treatment may be indicated for you, the self-care steps you take are equally important components of your plan. From good nutrition to healthy sleep habits to managing stress, there is much you can do to ensure you get the maximum benefit from your total treatment plan.