Do you always have a constant power supply?
As a child, I lived in Urua Ekpa Road, and, we never had access to the Power supply. My house was situated close to the Transformer, but, no power. When the government looked into the electricity project for my community, the transformer will be fixed in the morning, and it will blow off in the evening.
We never had light for 24 hours, it was impossible. At some point, people speculated that there are lots of corpses buried beneath the transformer, and that's the reason, light isn't stable.
Image Source https://pixabay.com/photos/bulb-light-white-concept-bright-316751/
I hated nights because they reminded me of how dark our lives were. A few years later, there was light shining at the end of the tunnel for us. Someone was made a Councilor, and his wife was wealthy, so they collectively looked into our power supply.
We discovered that it had nothing to do with the fetish belief. We had a single transformer circulating power to a lot of households. The network was very wide for one transformer, and so, the load was high.
All we needed was multiple transformers, it had nothing to do with the spirit https://pixabay.com/photos/electricity-transformer-power-2820425/
The councilor and the community members asked the government to provide us with more transformers. I can't remember if they did, I was still very small. All I can remember is that we did have access to more than two transformers. And power was disseminated thoroughly and efficiently.
Urua Ekpa Road became a town, everyone wanted to live in. The value of our houses went up, because, day in, day out, lots of people rented apartments in the region. To crown it all, the Federal University was just a few kilometers away. That meant students lived around, and those who came from long distances, rented apartments too.
The value of our houses went up https://pixabay.com/photos/house-architecture-front-yard-1836070/
From then now, I grew up, not knowing what it felt like to drink hot water anymore. My siblings and I were always taking water off the fridge, no matter how angry mum would be. We just couldn't stop.
I liked the presence of light, I didn't mind if I had nothing to do with it. It just satisfied sensations that I could not explain. If our transformer has issues, I tend to become sad, especially, if the rest of the neighborhood had light, and we didn't.
Soon, dad, decided we have to leave our family house for the new house he built, and there, my misery began. Ikot Obong, the new neighborhood had no light. I was always bored at home, so, I will always want to go to my grandmother's side, because of the power supply.
In a few months, Ikot Obong had access to Power supply, and I was so happy. I never had boring moments anymore, my phone was always full, and the Television ran from morning till night, the freezer wasn't left out.
I was living in paradise. Until it was time to relocate to Nwaniba. I specifically asked my agent to find a place that had access to power supply and water. Yes, water, I am a fish remember? I like water a lot.
We tour the entire area, and the places I saw weren't anywhere close to my dad's paradise, which, I was living behind. One afternoon, I was discussing relocation with someone, and he recommended a place, the compound I am currently staying in.
Yes, they had access to power supply and water, and even though it cannot be compared to my father's paradise, I accepted to live there.
The first few days, I realized, I was going to miss drinking cold water, but, I found this supermarket whose owner was consistent in having cold drinks and water, and, I knew I was in the right environment.
During the pandemic, I went home, and the troubles that came with the virus made PHCN, inconsistent with the supply of light. I couldn't stand it, mum always noticed, I was on the verge of losing my mind. And she always asks my sister to power on the generation, so I wouldn't die of heartache. Lol
I have this gratification that comes with having access to light, I had said it before. It became an obsession. Once my compound began to have issues with light, I felt as though I was going to die.
My neighbor, CT, was the next person to notice how insensitive I can get if there is no light. So, he is always happy for me, whenever Nepa restores power.
I cannot stand the absence of light. I need it now and then because I am always on the internet. My battery should have no reason to be lower than 15%. My system should not be down, I would break down.
I know somehow you feel the same way about electrical supply. You do not have to wait around for PHCN to restore power anymore. You can have your building glowing with light as long as you want.
All you need to do is contact Lahanson Engineering for your Solar System installations, and other electrical services and designs.
Solar installation to the rescue https://pixabay.com/photos/photovoltaic-photovoltaic-system-2138992/
The beauty of getting a solar system installed in your apartment is that you are assured of a reliable constant power supply. And solar panels have lasting durability of up to 25 years.
Imagine, making a one-time payment that guarantees, access to the illuminating atmosphere for as long as possible.
This post first appeared here as a promotion for a friend's solar installation service. I want to start saving most of my old writing on the blockchain. Please, let me know if this is against the rules. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=528084181940354&id=100042163296504
Why do you put on a smile that is so loud?
And my values changed. At some point in my life, I was looking for all the wrong things. I can't begin to tell you all the terrible places I ended up in because I changed my values.
Right now, this morning, I am happy to tell you that I am slowly going to my inclination, all the things my heart beats for is back, this time, my heart beats even faster.
This morning, I woke up to an inbox on Facebook and someone is asking me, **"why do you put on a smile that is so loud?"** I don't even know what that means, but, I know that a smile hides all your pains, and I had used this for a long time.
However, if I am wearing too many smiles these days, I am not hiding any pain anymore. Everything is gone. I am grateful for where I was, where I am, and where I am going.
Trust me when I say, a lot of it is buzzing in my head, my heart, and every day, my fingers can't just stop typing and it reflects in the way I smile.
I hope that anyone reading this will be to retrace their steps and find those values they so rightly held unto while growing which the blows of life had snatch from them.
I hope that once they find it, they won't let it go anymore. I hope they take this rebranding seriously, because the things we loved and valued as children were the building rock to all the wonderful we were meant to be.
Yes, you can be anything, never forget that.
Image Source https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-face-freckles-smile-smiling-1867431/
Should you always tell the truth?
I have this particular phrase on my wall that I wake up to every morning and it states
"**Never say anything that isn't true, have nothing to do with lies and misleading words**"
It's the scripture, I don't know if I follow it, all I know is that I am usually reminded anytime I want to tell lies.
What do I think about the truth?
Most times if we live truthfully, it hurts other people. There are certain things that people should not know. It's better to keep them clueless instead of informing them. This is because I grow up to hear these words, "**the things you don't know can't hurt you**"
King Solomon also said in the scripture "**for in much wisdom is much grieved, and he that increases knowledge, increases sorrows**"
This means some things are better left unsaid, and we shouldn't be sincere about everything.
So I feel we shouldn't tell the truth at times especially if it protects the interest of the other party.
How can you define truth?
I would define truth as something true. of course, that's how truth is defined, and if we define it otherwise, then, it's not the truth....lol ......I am messing with your mind right now 😂
With utmost certainty, all amount of sincerity, judging from all facts, with acceptance from all angles...Truth.
What are the most truthful sources of information for you?
The most truthful source for me is from the horse's mouth. Well, I know the horse's mouth could decide to withhold the truth with clear reasons as I stated above. This doesn't mean I will stop seeking out truth from the real source.
It's better if the true owner of the story lied about it than to be fed with lies from other sources. Since that person will withhold the truth with good intentions (or maybe bad intention), as long as they are seeking to protect something.
I still don't know how to source news as I speak. I find it difficult to. I have to learn to do this.
So it boils down to me finding truth from truth tables(where truths are supposed to be found..... the owners)
Why should we spread the truth and protect it?
There are lots of reasons we should protect and spread the Truth. One of them is so that the rest of the folks won't be misled.
Yes, mislead, remember how I started this post? The scripture had said we should have nothing to do with misleading words.
So I figured, the most important reason we shouldn't be caught spreading lies should be to avoid misleading others.
Another reason we should protect and spread the truth is to save lives. There are sensitive information that should not be withheld if it will take the lives of innocent ones.
I went through hive looking for posts around the tag, #truth and I found a rather interesting post from an interesting fellow that recently joined hive and has been feeding us with amazing thoughts.
The user's post wasn't centered on truth. She was talking about what makes you feel better? What caught my attention was the part I will be quoting below. https://www.proofofbrain.io/hive-174578/@iskafan/what-makes-you-feel-better
What if it's drugs or alcohol? please don't ask me......I can't tell you what to do with your health.....I want you to know that health is wealth, and you must protect your health as you would your wealth.
She was telling us those things that keep her sane and makes her feel better. And she advised that we should always resort to those things that keep us sane too, whether they are material or immaterial.
And then she must have remembered a lot of people use drugs and alcohol to stay sane and feel better, and she mentioned it.
Pay attention. We all know our health is wealth right? This fellow knows that this is true but did you see the way she avoided being blunt about the truth?
I am guessing it's to protect the interest of everyone who loves drinking or taking drugs.
What she did wasn't to ask them to stop using these things. She found a way around this simple truth, that way a reader will have to take the better decisions from his heart not because he was asked or forced to.
Ha....yes, yesterday, one of my favorites content creators @alekst7 had written a post about alcohol and how it affects us no matter how much we try to paint it black and white.
And measuring this feat with what @iskafan did with the last part of her post, I will be bringing my thoughts about telling the truth to a standpoint.
We do not necessarily have to tell the truth about a thing at all times. Some people will be greatly hurt by the truth or may try to hurt us.
So it's better if you guard your tongue, and watch carefully what you disclose as this can be used against you.
Image Source https://pixabay.com/photos/truth-lie-street-sign-contrast-257160/
Oh, how he loves me
He never ceases to amaze me. It's like the fog has been lifted, he loves me. He proves it time and time again.
There hasn't been a day he doesn't work his magic confirming all of my suspicions, and clearing all my doubts.
He tries as much as he can to build my trust and to earn it now and then.
He shows me what love is, and it's crystal clear, that I am on the right side of love.
My favorite song states, **"and it's warm and real, and bright, and the world has somehow shifted"** Yes, somehow the world has shifted, and the feeling is amazing.
I stumble, I fall, he raises me, dusts me, and gives me a reason to smile, making me forget the pains in a hurry.
Gratitude feels my heart as I write this. For he hasn't only been a companion, but, my teacher as well. He hasn't only been a companion, but, a lover.
I wake up every day remembering I am loved, and that he will go to the ends of the earth just to prove it.
My heart beats faster, he quickens the pace by his deeds, love, and actions. I feel as though I am dreaming, but I am not.
He puts all the pieces of the puzzles together in no time, and all that I am required to do is to trust his judgments and wait. Oh, he takes all the right decisions and uses the outcome to teach me life lessons.
Waiting often feels like an eternity, I can be impatient, but, he taught me to never be in a hurry, everything makes the most sense, if I give it time.
He taught me that.
He allows me to meet people and build relationships with them. And he lets me see the ones I have to lay aside and continue on the race life too.
He doesn't stop. It doesn't seem as though he wants to stop anytime soon.
Oh, how he loves me! I want this to last, sincerely.
Song quotes source https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/mandymoore/iseethelight.html
Image Source https://pixabay.comvectors/rose-graphic-flower-deco-398576/
How is it that you always have money?
Yesterday was daddy's birthday and while we sat at the round table digging into the suya and chill Pepsi (Pepsi is a family thing), dad reminded me of the question I asked him once.
I walked up to him one morning, and said, **"Daddy, how is it that you always have money"?** I don't remember if he answered, all I remember is that I saw the things he does that brought the funds needed for the upkeep of my household.
Maybe he was the one who told me and I started paying attention. Yesterday when he reminded me of that question, I smiled because I have gotten to the point where everything makes sense to me.
Money is the reward for value, that's what everyone says, does it sound complicated to you when you hear it? You should not be confused
Dad was and he is still multi-talented. He knew how to work with his hands, and because he did his work with all amount of perfection, it brought him recommendations.
It was through other people's recommendations that he was able to spread value through his hands, and he was able to access the rewards (Money)
Yesterday, he explained that he could wake up in the morning, and his phone rings. It could be someone calling him and requesting his presence to supervise the construction of his house. It could be someone who needs help with measuring and setting up his land papers. It could someone who wants eggs or chicken for his food business. It could be someone who needs help sorting out the texture of sands and grindstones for construction.
It could be anything, he ended by saying, he never finish this meeting without getting rewarded with payments in the form of money.
I have at least being close enough to know that people who have something of value to offer barely lack funds. It may run out in the morning as a result of responsibilities, there is a guarantee it will be replenished in the night because people are constantly in need of help and services. if you offer any of the services they need, the money goes into your pocket.
If you don't, referring someone who does can fetches you money as well(a cut, a percentage for the recommendation)
The only reason you run short of funds longer than necessary is that you haven't sat down to analyze your strength and work on turning it into something that generates value.
I am sure you have a lot of things you are good at, look closely, it's a profitable Goldmine if you do your due diligence and process it into businesses.
This week consider looking into all your financial gaps, and let's make money together
Happy Sunday
What does music mean to you?
As a child, dad always played music especially late into the night. We listened as children, dance most of the nights away, and drown in the rhythm and beats. Without realizing it meant a lot to him more.
Every night, dad will always sit in the corner and explain each lyric for me. I came to appreciate music because he did. I began to pay attention to music because he did.
Every lyric meant something, so I stop listening and dancing to the tune for listening sake, I tried to understand the songwriter. I wondered what each line meant to him. What kind of circumstances warranted such lyrics.
If mum loves singing out loud to a particular song, I paid attention. If dad taps his feet to any, I paid attention.
At some point, when we didn't have access to Google yet, dad will always play any song and sit with us, pausing at intervals just to write the lyrics for us to learn.
We were stressing him that much because we wanted to sing along the way he did.
My neighbor plays music and I sing along, he is usually taken aback because the songs he plays are oldies, and I always seem to know how to sing all of them
Dad taught me.
We had lots of music CDs, he bought music CD's the way I buy Pepsi and bread (I buy lots of these). It's the internet that stopped him from buying, even though he still does. Oh, and the fact that our phones can have as many songs as we want also made him stop buying.
He still buys, so he can play with his stereo, loud enough to have him listen while he is working.
I love music. I know lots of songs. I can sing as many as I want. I am talking about all sorts of music with no discrimination to genres.
My family is a mini-choir, dad, mum, my two brothers, my sister, and I. Dad loves Mum's voice so much, I hear him compliment her now and then. Most times, he will raise a song and asked her to sing along because of the blend in harmony.
And she sings with passion, you could feel it as the sounds vibrate through the core of her lungs, then, watch her close her eyes in melody.
I love listening to her sing, **"Take a message to Mary" by the Everly Brothers**.
https://youtu.be/_Hkx_CDExfI
Take a message to Mary https://youtu.be/_Hkx_CDExfI
I am always close to tears when she is done singing. I don't why, but she sings as though she is the character in that song, and she can feel the pains, hurts, and despair of both Mary and his lover
I had to learn the lyrics of this particular song because I heard her sing everything from the beginning to the end.
Dad made me begin to learn most of Timaya's songs. The music he did brings the horror of the government to our doorstep. The poverty, hunger, famine, and suffering of the peasants were heart-touching.
https://youtu.be/kqC-6YdZVL8
Dem Mama, Timaya https://youtu.be/kqC-6YdZVL8
The destruction of ODI was the most heartbreaking of them all. The massacre that took place in Bayelsa,20th November, 1999, I do not think can be compared to the one that happened on the 20th of October 2020, during the Endsars protest.
I learned Lucky Dube's songs after dad gave us the news of his death one morning.
https://youtu.be/Vi0NsfK2EeI
Lucky Dube's greatest hits https://youtu.be/Vi0NsfK2EeI
Dad likes his songs more, but, I didn't pay attention much until his death(may his soul rest in peace)
I can't even mention music and forget folks like Fela Kuti, our charismatic music performer.
https://youtu.be/IQBC5URoF0s
Fela Kuti, the carrier of death in his pouch https://youtu.be/IQBC5URoF0s
The man who carries death in his pouch. He was popular even though the ruling government frown upon his music. Dad was a fan too.
With my siblings, we learned Pop songs together. It started when I came home from school with the Cartoon, **"The Lion King"**. The soundtracks in this cartoon were amazing. This was how we got initiated into Pop songs.
https://youtu.be/zPdSZRMrnA0
The Lion King https://youtu.be/zPdSZRMrnA0
We made mum buy us as many cartoons as possible with the hopes that we will have access to more songs. And we did. We wrote every song that resonates with us down, and practice the lyrics every night till we mastered them.
Oh, by the way, my voice sounds more cartonick(I don't even know if this is a word)....you can't blame me, practice makes perfect they say.
From here, we proceeded to other songs, as long as they have meaning, we do not care. We learned them with no hesitation
I am the one who moved into more adult songs when l left my church Choir. I didn't know mum was paying attention until one day, we were home, and the song, **Chandelier by Sia** was played on Radio.
https://youtu.be/2vjPBrBU-TM
Chandelier https://youtu.be/2vjPBrBU-TM
I heard my mum tell my junior brother "*that is the kind of song that Edy, your sister, likes....* what?? I was surprised
There is so much about music I would love to share with you, but I'll leave you to imagine the rest.
Mum is my music role model, did I mention, she sings with so much passion? please, permit me to mention it again.
But dad is the instigator of every musical love that was created in my bones, ribs, lungs, and heart.
I have been lucky to have both of my parents. They are at the core of everything that I have become.
Are you photogenic or should I mind my business?
Someone, please tell me what my hands are always doing on my face. Maybe, I need to cut it off so that I can comfortably take photos without them
Wait... I do not like taking pictures... lol. So, if my hands help, why on earth should I think of cutting it off?
Gosh..... that would be so silly of me. I only know the scripture asks us to cut off the part of us that is likely to cause us to sin. It never said we should take away the ones that help us live better lives.... or did it? Don't ask me. I have no idea. I have forgotten, please help me out.
Speaking of riding ourselves of toxic things, we have to look into things that downgrade our basics growth
What are those things that are likely to diminish our growth instead of improving it?
How have we been able to recognize them, and what steps have we taken to stop or eliminate their presence in our lives.
Most times, we do not even recognize their presence, we continue doing them to our detriment.
However, there are those areas of our lives that we can improve daily. And, if we do, it's likely to give our lives a boost.
One of them is our confidence level. Have you ever felt embarrassed in your life? What happened? How did you get out of it?
Or did the ground open up and swallowed you as you wished? hehehehe... I know it didn't, so right here, I am just pulling your legs.
Mind you, you will not be able to improve your confidence level if you are somewhat negative. Negativity and positivity do not go hand in hand, one has to override the other one. You gotta choose which side of the game that you belong, and stick to it.
For today, you have to choose positivity over negativity because it has an overall effect on your confidence.
You can start by looking around and seeing the little things you have been able to achieve, and feel grateful for them. Then, move over, and set your sight higher, to keep your hormones working all round the clock
Understand that you got to be optimistic irrespective of the challenges you could be facing. Optimism has a way of catapulting our energy level to see opportunities where others see obstacles.
This way, you can take risks that you wouldn't take on normal circumstances. Such risks could yield the necessary results, and some might not, the beauty of it all is that you get to learn from the process
There is nothing wrong about feeling embarrassed, you know, maybe, it's just me, but, I don't think it's such a big deal. It happens to everyone.
What matters is if you have insecurities, then, you may not be able to handle embarrassment. If you don't have any form of insecurities, I am sure, you will pass through it without breaking a sweat.
This leads to the question that I tried to answer, why my hands are always on my face every time a shot is to be taken of me. Maybe, I am always embarrassed to take photos. And I usually wave it by telling the human trying to get the shot, that I am not photogenic.
If that is the case, I need to work on my photo-taking embarrassing moments... lol
I will do this by improving my confidence level when it comes to making a replica of me using a lens(Camera)
And if there is any other area of my life that requires that I exude confidence, I'll muster up the courage and do what it takes
How about you?
There is a place for you in all of these madness
I am lying right here imagining how beautiful the future will be. I can sense every one of you will forever be a part of me, and that we will be delighted we came across one another.
Our lives will change, but I don't believe we will overlook where it began. The debates, the teases, the happiness, despair, sentiments, smiles, adventures, etc. We will recall them all.
If we have pictures to prove them, fine, but, oh the internet will make sure it's recorded, and that time still finds them imprinted on the sands of time.
Yes, we will remember how we believed we had so much time, yet, time decided to shake us up a little bit, by demonstrating that, today is the tomorrow we've always imagined, and that yesterday, is the today, that we experienced
One step at a time, we will get there, and I am sure all of us already have the blueprint of how we want our future to be.
Hey, stop fooling yourself, that future is tomorrow, and as the clock climes and ticks, tomorrow is closer than you could ever imagine.
So, declare it precisely, what your tomorrow will be, allow the heavens to pen it down for you, work towards it, and watch the universe bind all the elements needed to solidify it for you.
Oh no, I'm speaking chemistry right now, yes, chemistry doesn't exist in the laboratory or love alone, it is entwined in the life that we live day by day.
Don't you ever wonder why some of the things you imagine happen right before you? Aye... Chemistry. The universe balances all of the equations of your thoughts, words, and actions, and you get the products.
Most times, you assume it's your dreams coming true.. could be, no, wait, it is. The universe made sure of it.
Always remember that every day is created empty, it's your position to fill in the unoccupied spaces with what you want, and, watch nature mold them into reality.
Hey, make sure your name is engraved on the sands of time, it doesn't matter what for. As long as we remember you tomorrow for something you did today.
No, I ain't saying you should be infamous, oh, by the way, you can be infamous, a man has only one destiny, they say, but, if your destiny is to be famous, don't waste it.
Your generations won't be so pleased to open the book of records and discover you miss the tracks and wander on the path of another. They will be disappointed. I do not think you want that... Or would you?
Chill... Life is just starting, there is a place for you in all of this madness. Find your madness, shake us up with it, and watch how the world response to the rhythm of your music.
Blockchain is transparent, here lies my vote of confidence
I have gotten so used to the transparency of blockchain that I forget the outside world runs differently. I am not happy right now, and I feel like punching someone in the face for having to resign to a fate that isn't of my making.
A few days ago, I had stumbled upon a premium domain(the owner didn't renew his subscription this year). It was cool because it has a name that can be widely searched for by a large amount of audience. I could easily use this domain and re-route their audience and visitors to my blog.
GoDaddy gave us the price of the domain, but it was placed on bid. Anyone who bidded the highest gets the domain. So I asked my manager to bid higher, and he did.
We encounter obstacles, we were told to sign up for a membership program. A program that is supposed to qualify us to bid. My manager wanted to stop, but I asked him to continue. I wanted us to see what happens next, and probably learn.
Once we crossed that bridge, he was happy that we did, because according to him, he hasn't been in such a scenario before, and that he had learned a lot. I was pleased that I didn't give up easily.
So, after getting the membership access, we placed our bid. As at the time I saw this domain, we only had two days left before the end of the bid. When the bidding hours were over, they told us we were the highest bidder, and that we should wait for 11 days before we can gain access to it.
I thought, maybe, they are just buying time to see if another bidder will come around and bid higher. So I told my manager to wait, but, that we will be keeping an eye on it so that if someone bidder higher, we go up by a few percentages.
Two days later, I received a message from him saying that the domain has been given to us. I was surprised because they said 11 days, yet, it wasn't up to 10 days. We were asked to pay a certain fee, plus the fee for the renewal of the domain.
It was getting suspiciously costly, so I asked my manager to explain why we are paying the extra cost for it. Once he explained, I discover, first, we had to pay for bidding membership access, then, pay for the domain renewal for this year, but, still pay extra charges(I figured maybe this was GoDaddy's cut in all of it)
We were still talking when my girlfriend visited, and I asked him to wait till the next day when we can look into it with clear eyes and finalize the purchase.
Last night, I left him a message concerning the domain, and this morning, I woke up to a message telling me, the domain isn't ours anymore, and that it has been taken, but, there was a disclaimer, telling us to pay for a broker, who is supposedly going to help us get the domain back..... wtf?
I had thought since they had given it to us, it meant no competition. I tried thinking about how someone would have taken something that was clearly stated to be ours. I have been trying to analyze what games GoDaddy is playing with us.
You know if there was another competition, they wouldn't have told us it is ours the previous night. They would just go and ahead and tell us someone bid higher and let us know what we can do. Telling us something is ours, one minute, and no more ours the next minute without a proper reason, instead, bringing up more ways to charge us doesn't seem right to me
At this point, I wanted to know what happened, I wanted to find out if someone else bought it right under our nose and why?. I asked my manager to send them a mail asking for answers. This morning I am so angry, I don't even know what to vent my anger on.
I was beginning to think this was blockchain where all transactions will be visible. It dawns on me that it wasn't. I would have found out what happened exactly. I would be able to know if GoDaddy was trying to mess with our minds and our money.
Blockchain is way better than a traditional business portfolio. I wouldn't need to talk too much about this. Everything would have been plain, visible, and clear.
I am waiting for their response, I am hoping that they have valid reasons for pulling this stunt(this feels like a stunt to me). If truly the domain has been taken by someone else, why would I be needing a broker to get it back from the rightful owner, who might have gone through the tedious processes and gotten it?
At this point, I am beginning to see the integrity, sincerity, and transparency that comes with Blockchain, and here is my vote of confidence.
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/photos/blockchain-people-shaking-hands-2850276/
What would life be like if it wasn't for enjoying the moments?
We have been taught to work now, and play later. We have been taught to delay today's pleasure for future gratification.
Does it work? Do we truly enjoy those gratifications in the future? Or are we stuck in the same way we think, regardless?
Of course, old habits die hard. We can never get around to enjoying the things we labored for because a part of us still thinks tomorrow is unpredictable
But if we are not enjoying the moments, of what use is everything we have worked for?
We can only have one life, we might as well enjoy it. The scripture has told us we shouldn't be worried about what we will eat, or wear tomorrow because the Almighty is capable of providing all our needs
Yet, as humans who have lots of fears, we tend to worry a lot about something we are yet to experience. The thing is, if we cast all our cares upon the Almighty, he will always care for us.
I have always known that once I make my decision known to both heaven and earth, I will always receive help.
I remember once when I had a particular topic in my mathematics that I couldn't understand no matter how hard I tried. One holiday, I took it to one of my mathematics teachers. He was religiously inclined, couple with the fact that he was very intelligent.
When I told him I have tried understanding this particular topic. And that I do understand other ones except for this one. He asked me if I had told the Almighty that I didn't understand and that I wanted to.
I said no. The realization dawn on me. I have always tried to do things on my own. Forgetting the existence of the most powerful being. I usually thought it was my might and strength, forgetting that he is the one who gives breath to all things.
Until that morning, when I spoke with my Teacher about that maths. I began to appreciate the existence of the supreme being. And how he is capable of turning things around for his glory.
No one says we shouldn't plan for tomorrow, no. For the scripture is a double-edged sword, and it also tells us to plan carefully what we do, and everything we do will turn out right.
While we plan intensively for the future, watching to counter every loophole that may twat our efforts, we shouldn't forget to sit back at the moment, enjoy it and feel a vast amount of gratitude to the supreme being.... one who makes all things be.
No, we shouldn't wait till tomorrow before we can do all the things we want to do. No, we do not know what tomorrow holds. This is not despising the fact that we need to be positive about what tomorrow brings.
Once we introduced gratitude in to our lives, our eyes will begin to open up to the wonderful things he has created for us to enjoy. Things we naturally ignore and barely pay close attention to. We will discover that we will be feeling joy unspeakable, and it will emanate from the pure delight of gratitude.
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/illustrations/thank-you-thanks-greeting-card-944086/
Give me money, give me financial freedom
No, I don't know what to write about. I have been trying to write about something since last week, it's not working. I have read lots of articles here looking for a trigger, but it's not forthcoming.
If I lie down, my brain starts talking as though she's writing but the moment I pick my phone, it quiets down.
My body prefers to eat, exercise, read stuff, watch movies, play games, chit-chat, sleep, but doesn't want to write.
I had planned to write a thank you article for a lady I just met a few days ago. And that is because her post had helped me consider how I spent my money, and how I would not spend it.
Before now, I have always known I wanted to be someone who invests in another person's idea no matter how lousy it sounds. I wanted to be able to help push an idea from cradle to completion. The fact that funds are not readily available to small businesses and startups made me want to do this.
I have watched how young people and older folks struggle to get fundings for their businesses, and even though they go through the bank, there are always obstacles that prevent them from accessing the much-desired funds.
At this point, their idea is to nib at the bud even before it has the privilege of seeing daylight. Then, one day, I read about Warren Buffett, no I didn't read about him, a friend told me about him. He said this man doesn't have a business to his name, all he does is invest in small businesses and helped them grow into large ones, thereby, making his gains from the shares he holds in the company.
When I first heard, I didn't know if all of the information was correct, all I knew was that I wanted that life too. I wanted to have lots of funds to be able to invest in viable business ideas.I also knew that I didn't want to work hard for too long. I wanted to be able to return home, raise my children, and support my husband with love, and care.
Although at the back of my mind I still want to have businesses in my name, I am very sure I'll start investing in other people's own first, until, I am ready to venture into mine.
I had no idea how I was going to have the money to do all the things I wanted to do. I just knew I will find out.
In the course of looking for answers, I have read different books, signed up for courses, both paid and unpaid ones. I have been closer to living these dreams daily, and I am not willing to stop
A lot of things have happened, I have learned that one can make money by selling. And by selling, it has to be something of value. People pay for value.
I have also understood the importance of being authority in whatever you are doing. This is because people buy from those that they trust... No one wants to be a victim of circumstances when it comes to money. The most important thing of all is that I learned I need to be able to sell myself... I guess this part still boils down to being an authority.
I am still looking for more answers, in the cause of finding them, I have also known that companies strive in repeat businesses. Once your clients trust you and keep coming back, probably, bring their friends along, then you are in business.
Another thing I found is the whole thing that goes into branding and why Apple seems to be doing very well. It boils down to being able to create a cult... a following... a crowd that trusts you and can vouch for you anywhere and at any time.
All Apple fans have one thing in common... They believe the product they are using is superior, and it doesn't matter if the world says otherwise.
This is solely because Apple had been able to build a cult... They started with "Why" instead of "how". Those who stick to them know why they do... and it's mostly because Apple believes in challenging the status quo, and in thinking differently.
The way they do this is by creating beautiful products that are simple and user-friendly. This speaks a lot to the crowd out there .. so Apple won themselves fans. So I learned early on that people do not pay for what you do, but, why do you do it.
Since, I want to be an investor so badly, I still have to learn about finances, investments, economic, etc. I did not want to wait until tomorrow so I started early, and I keep going. Compounding is the fundamental criteria, even though, it's small numbers, they will turn into large ones depending on the number of years.
You and I must start pursuing our financial freedom by learning the ropes of finances. We need to understand how to spot a good investment portfolio, we ain't going to do that by just folding our hands. We need to have our skin in the game. As young people, we need to learn to delay a bit of those gratification and look towards the future with bright hopes and determination.
Our Eureka moment will come, but will only surface if we are digging, looking for answers. Money grows with time, investments help it grow because 10% of a certain amount of money put into work will generate lots more in say, 10,20,30, years, etc.
The mistake we will make as youths is if we do not start early, even when the signs are right before us. We should be able to envision the kind of life we will want to have in our 50's and 60's and start working towards it. We does not need to have lots of money to get started, any amount is fine.
Start looking into your investments portfolio today, and your future self will thank you for it
Lead image source. https://pixabay.com/photos/piggy-bank-saving-money-young-woman-850607/
Would you rather confess love when you are tipsy or sane?
Forgive me but today I don't feel like writing anything. I have been lying down, browsing through my phone, catching up with my friends on WhatsApp.
Then, I sent the same message to all my friends and few of them answered..... The rest aren't online to drop their response.
I will share that question with you and the various answers I got without changing any of the sentences.
I'll appreciate if you leave your answer behind as well ... I will really love to hear your opinion
Here we go
***When someone makes sure he is drunk or tipsy every time he wants to confess love..... What does it mean?***
My friends had this to say.
**Gift**: He doesn't love you
**Michael**: Hmm
We shouldn't interpret too much on someone's action unless we know them too well.
If the guy is a usually shy person, it can mean he lacks the boldness to tell you his mind and the drink helps him
If it's not because of shyness, I'll say he's lying, the drink gives him the courage to lie when otherwise he wouldn't if he were not tipsy
**Mmyeneabasi**: Alcohol has been found to dim the alarm signal in the mind that alerts you when you are making a mistake. It essentially reduces your self-control so that you say things that you never would normally. , it also means that he might just lose enough of his inhibitions to tell his crush how he feels.The is truth in alcohol
**Blaez**: I wouldn't take such confessions seriously...
People say and do shit they don't mean when they're drunk and when they're later told they did it deny vehemently
... Obviously under the influence of the alcohol
**Dynasty**: I guess the person might be trying to avoid being in his right senses when he does it
Or
Maybe probably he is not sure of the response he will get
**Elijah**: I don't know... I can't relate... So I can't tell
**Aniebiet**: Means he's shy. Very shy
There, 7 of them responded. What is your answer? Do you often need to be under the influence of a substance to gain the courage to tell someone how you feel about them? Or do you stay sane
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/photos/female-alcoholism-woman-young-woman-2847443/
I would pass up opportunities if I wasn't a bibliophile
If someone asks, where is your favorite place in the world? The answer is always the same. The library.
I could read all day without getting bored and exhausted. I could complete 600 pages of any book in 24 hours.
I am a bibliophile, I would choose to buy a new book than to buy a new dress. I usually believe the information in a single book will fetch me enough value, value that I can use to generate sufficient money to buy surplus dresses in the future.
If I ever feel out of the blue, a book brings me back to my senses. It gives me the right motivation to strive. What keeps me sane is reading.
I don't think I have tried anything without first reading about it. It's a sort of armor for protection and defense, I have to be equipped for the war ahead, that has always been my thought.
A Friend had said
I never got on to a battle without enough bullets in my pocket.
It's the same for me, I'll never do a thing if I do not have the basics foundation about it. I have to read everything I can find on the subject. If I find a promising book on it, I'll be delighted.
I am soaked up in people's writings and ways of reasoning that my brother says, I see a default where others see a fault. And he is right, reading has made me decipher why people behave the way they do.
I do not go around judging people because I know whatever it is they are doing, they are doing so as the basis for their survival.
I had shared once with the community how a book helped me with a devastating breakup. Satisfactorily, another book had helped me thrive in my next relationship. I read some that helped me work with people daily. I have vibes that you may think it's elusive, but, it is quite attainable because the only thing that hinders us is our minds.
My motivation comes from reading, it's my positive Phile. @eriksand on Hive is the one making me write about my Phile today. He shared a lot of things that motivate him, and they are all his positive phile.
Here is the post, My Positive Phile https://www.proofofbrain.io/hive-150329/@eriksand/my-positive-phile
What triggered this writing was his first phile being an Autophile. He said this phrase
I like solitude. In my solitude, I think about work, money, and love that I will go through in the future. I judge myself to be valuable to others. For me, it's important to understand myself. So, being alone isn’t always bad, because sometimes we need to evaluate our mistakes.
And it made me recall I love being alone too but of course with my books. It's getting horrifying because I find gratification by being locked up someplace diving into wisdom some creature found years back and was generous to share in a book.
There are lots of things I did because I read about someone achieving them. I learn to bake because of a character in a book, l began to appreciate architectural drawings and structure because of another character. I loved the arts because of a particular character in a book. I got interested in politics because of another character. I decided to learn how to dance because of a character. Books formed the person I became
Once I had jokingly told someone, if they yearned to hurt me, they should write it in a book, make me find it, and they will win.
I prefer new and insightful books as gifts to candies and gadgets. A book for me is a ticket to accumulating all of the other things life has to offer. The human who buys me a book is offering me the world in few pages of bound material.
It's the way the scripture says, *"seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all other things will be added unto you"* A bunch of things has been added unto me since the first day I began to appreciate the knowledge saved and hidden in books
It doesn't matter what you crave for, I am 100% convinced, the secrets and mysteries to finding it lies in a book, somewhere, bound with a spiral, waiting for you to unveil it.
Buy a book today, and gain access to all the abundance of life tomorrow.
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/photos/child-girl-book-read-reading-857021/
I may never get the chance to take care of my old parents... So why wait?
Where I come from, families prefer waiting until the older folks in their family die before they spend money on them. While they are alive, they neglect taking care of them by giving them access to good food, good healthcare, shelter, and clothing.
They prefer to wait and probably pray that these oldies will die quickly so they can give them befitting burials (so they claim) and do away with thoughts of them.
The whole ideology sucks when I look at it. I mean, why wait till he or she dies, then spend money they would not be a party to on their burial arrangements? Why didn't you give them that money when they were alive to help them live longer?
I have this old woman living close by who has been neglected by her children. She struggles to fane for herself, you would think she is the only one on earth but,no.
She has children she trained, and gotten married off, but, none visits, nor sends her money.
The kitchen she uses to cook has no covering, and if rain falls, she literally won't be eating dinner that day. I don't even want to talk about her apartment. When it rains, everywhere is covered with water, and I wonder if she sleeps well at night. I wonder if she doesn't cry over the children she nursed and they have decided to desert her.
I know it's not easy for anyone especially when it comes to money. But it doesn't matter, does it? Even a small amount can go a long way to help. Children over here should learn to take care of their parents.
I know I am still very tiny, and earning very little, and my parents still pay my tuition fee, but, I make sure I send them money. Not that they couldn't afford it, but, I love seeing the smiles on their faces, and receiving hugs especially from mum.
I do not want to wait until they die before I show them I love them, and how much I appreciate all of their efforts, no. I want them to reap the fruits of their labor as young as they are.
Also, right now the amount they receive is very small as compared to everything they have done for me. I know with time, the small amount will increase to large ones.
I do not want to wait until I have access to a large sum of money before I give them some. I may never think it's enough if I wait...
The phrase in my language states, *"ese toho ke edab ekpeb mkpa"*, meaning that, **"one learns to die through his sleep"**
You see, little by little giving explodes, and I want a situation whereby giving to my parents becomes a habit, a habit that does not change over time, but, enlarges.
Money never finishes because we give out, it only grows. I am sure anyone who does not give isn't because they are selfish, it's because they feel, it will finish.
So they choose to hoard. The funny thing about this set of people is that one problem usually comes out of nowhere and sweeps every dime. I don't know if it's karma, but, it's usually a small problem that escalates out of proportion, and they had no choice but to spend the money they have been hoarding.
Do most of the people die and leave behind untrace amounts of money because no one knew it exists in the first place? Yes, it happens all the time. Most people who hoard money get so bad that they do not even spend them on themselves. The fear of losing everything and not getting it back makes them sulk over money.
The beauty of giving is that you will not be afraid. Once you understand how money works, you won't be afraid to spend on yourself, the lives of others, invest as you go.
Spending on our parents is a sort of investment too, we invest in karma, and fate has a way of balancing those things we did as we grew up, to facilitate what we get as we grow old.
Life is a garbage in, garbage out, I say this often, and the scripture even said, we should do to others, what we want to be done to us. And if we take care of our parents, destiny harvests their happiness, and grant us open doors and happiness in the near future.
A lot of us may never have the chance to take care of our parents if we wait until the grass is green. You cannot bet on them living for a long time, so why wait, and take chances when you can do the little you can now.
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/photos/people-old-man-woman-couple-love-2583943/
I'll never be able to get out of debt
I was at work one evening, during the pandemic, a friend walked into my office, and laid a complaint. He said he had borrowed money from a loan app, and the payment was due in the next few hours.
When I asked him what he borrowed the money for, he said, he needed it, as at then, to fix himself up. Why didn't you make provision to repay on time? I asked he responded that things didn't go as planned.
He was particularly lucky, because it was the 2nd day of the month, and my boss usually sent in our paycheck by the close of work, on this day.
So I told him I will send him the money before 12midnight. This was supposed to give me enough time to receive my salary, plan where the funds go, and finally give him some.
He was surprised and very happy at the same time. He thanked me 100 times, and I was beginning to feel shy and uncomfortable. I asked him to stop and go home before my boss returns. He did, and on his way, he sent his account details to my inbox. I confirmed I had seen it.
Once my boss paid us, I went home, had my bath, and dinner; dived into my phone, worked on my to-do list, then send him the money. He paid the loan app and promised to return the money with 10% interest.
I hoped he would, but, I wasn't banking on it. If he returns it, fine, if he doesn't, fine, that was my thoughts. I didn't want to put my hopes into it, so I don't get disappointed.
Did he return the money? Yes, if I remember vividly, he returned everything except the 10% interest, I didn't mind, he had done more than I expected.
I remember another friend who requested money from one of my colleagues. He complained that his mum was ill, and needed medical attention, my colleagues didn't have money, so this friend had no other choice than to go to my boss.
When he told my boss about the health status of his mum, my boss handed him the money, which he promised to return by month-end.
That evening, we saw his supposedly sick mum, and she wasn't looking ill at all. My colleague and I smiled at ourselves because we already knew this guy has a track record for deception and lies.
I knew he won't return the money to my boss, but I kept it to myself.
Once it was month-end, he never showed up in the office again. This was someone who comes as early as 7:15 am every day to set up his computer for work before returning home to wash up and come back by 10 am.
As the date for the refund drew near, he reduced his presence in the office. It was rather too obvious in his case because everyone knew he was avoiding my boss.
The funny thing is that during that period, my boss was barely in the office too, he was out most of the time trying to gain new clients and prospects.
Did he return the money? Don't ask me, I don't know, but, I can bet he didn't
It can be difficult to borrow money from someone and return it. It is not that you wouldn't love to return it, it's just that, I don't know why, but, there is always this influence that comes with having money, and knowing that it's not truly yours, as a result of the accumulated debt.
The money may be there but when you look a the problems you have to solve at hand with cash, the possibility of returning a borrowed money is slim. It takes a whole lot of discipline to get out of debt, especially, if it's a debt that the owner may not necessarily sue you for.
It is difficult to keep money that you borrow from loan apps, they will take legal actions on you. I think they do something called reporting you and all of your banking details to the credit bureau so you can never get loans from other entities.
They usually go as far as sending messages to your families and friends telling them you are a fraud and dent your image and reputation.
However, if you borrow money from a friend, the least they can do is shout, curse, regret trusting you, and severe your relationship with them.
The thing is, when we borrow money, we are always basked in the ideology that we will be able to pay them back. This is often in our imaginations.
Most people barely make concrete plans on how to pay up loans. They usually feel the money will come out of somewhere (*I don't know why we think like this, though*). They imagine the future to be bright without any iota of effort to make it so.
When we borrow money from someone, the best thing we can do to avoid the drama of debt is to make concrete plans on how to pay it up.
We could save a percentage(%) of the money that comes into our hands for this purpose, *I know what you are thinking*. Yes, you can save it up, but giving the money back to the owner always seems like a daunting task right?
If you just thought of this, that means, getting out of money debt for you requires discipline. You ought to discipline yourself because if you don't you will be a slave to debt for a long time. It's a poverty-stricken lifestyle and mindset. Debts make us debtors, the tag of a debtor isn't nice, one should find ways to get out of the shackles of debt.
You will never truly enjoy the sweat of your labor if all the money you make goes into paying loans. You will be living from paycheck to paycheck. You will be making your money and putting it into a bag with holes.
So go ahead, discipline yourself, and pay a tiny amount that you can afford, until you clear everything up.
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/illustrations/debt-loan-credit-money-finance-1500774/
I didn't realize I was taking it all for granted
Do you remember that post I wrote about taking a break from Read cash? Yes, it was a click-bait but a part of me meant it.
I did want to be away from my phone for a while, probably go somewhere, and breathe in a bit of fresh air. I wanted it so badly, I transformed it into text. It turned out I had fallen in love with this place too much, I couldn't just leave completely.
After successfully responding to old comments, I signed off of my account,the rest is history.
I won't say I haven't been tempted to write on read cash, since Sunday evening, I have...... I had to hold myself back from everything. I wanted to reboot, re-strategize. So, I kept away, but today, something happened that made me realize, I was taking most opportunities for granted
It's like leaving your fiancee for someone else, thinking the new person is better, only to realize, the previous was the best, and you were only blinded by your selfishness, to figure it out all along.
That's what happened to me today. While on my beautiful break, a friend showed me something... believe me when I say it's juicy because it is.
Someone had anonymously added him to a telegram group that is supposedly a P2P group for various crypto coins. The numbers were juicy. Those who sold their tokens were doing so at a price that is guaranteed to make a huge amount of returns for the buyer.
For an instant, one can decide to sell off $300USDT at 380/$, if you have been in cryptocurrency long enough to understand numbers, you will know you can sell it off to another person at 500/$ or more depending on the bargains.
In this group, we found people were selling their tokens at lesser rates, and it was a chance to buy, and resell for bigger returns. It was an eye-opening experience, one that if it worked out, then, we would be having lots of money to buy Hive engine tokens (this was what we said to ourselves... lol)
My friend asked, do you think someone will be willing to sell $30BTC for us? He wanted to test the system and see if it's a scam or not. It was all looking too good to be true.
They had a middle man called the Escrow..... The rule said, after you have agreed with the seller on the price, transfer the amount plus the #200 extra fee(escrow fee), then, once the seller transfers the token to you, the escrow sends his money to him.
So, when he asked me if someone would sell $30BTC to him, I just said we should try it. This conversation took place on Sunday afternoon, I asked him to add me to the group so I can monitor it from my end. We planned to get into it if it works out. We agreed to do it separately, if one of us approaches a seller, the second person should back off. If a situation comes up that needed extra fundings, the other party helps out with a cut.
My telegram is frozen on my phone, the notification was too much, and the fact that it uses quite a large amount of data. So, when I left him on Sunday afternoon, I hadn't logged in to that group, it was only there at the back of my mind.
This afternoon, I felt a hunch to look into the group and see how people are doing. I wanted to message my friend and tell him, I was looking at the group at that time from my end, then, I held myself back, promising to fill him in with the details later.
A few seconds later, his WhatsApp message popped up, he was asking if I was still in that group. I said yes, I was on it right now, reading old chats. He asked me to scroll down, I was reluctant because I had close to 1000 unread messages pending. I wanted to take my time, but he insisted and even asked for a screenshot of the last message.
Now, I am pissed off, why can't you just look at it from your end, dude? I questioned him. I reluctantly send him the screenshot. Then, something caught my attention, it was his name. What? were you trying to tell me, you are about to buy a coin, by asking me to go to the end? I asked him
Then he said, "That group is a scam" What? How do you mean?
He had gone ahead with that $30btc plan, and after transferring the money to their escrow, he was immediately removed from the group. So, when he asked if I was still there, he wanted to see how the conversation ended without him in the picture.
The screenshot revealed after they sent him out, they created a new number with his name, and finalize the transaction for the rest of us to see.
So, he asked that I add him up through a different number, when he gained access, we saw the same person trying to sell another quantity of BTC, can you imagine? So my friend asked him if the last transaction he duped him of his money wasn't enough, he was looking for another victim. They removed him and removed me as well (because I added him up.... hehehehe)
I am wondering what they did after they sent us both out. I wanted to be angry, but, I left it, $30 was a chicken change, at least, he tested the authenticity of the group before we put our entire foot in.
These encounters made us discuss other crypto scams we had experienced in the past, that we wouldn't dare tell anyone then, and how we learn from each one.
Every day, quite a great number of folks are victims of scams here and there. When I read the book, "The Art of Manipulation" by R. B. Sparkman, there was a chapter, that taught me a thing about doing money deals with people.
The phrase goes this way, "watch where the money is". This was a tactic that is meant to teach one, how to avoid being taken in financial dealings. The author explained that whoever is with the money is in control, and can decide to do anything he wants to you. I choose to never forget that whoever holds the money holds the power. I'll quote the author directly
As long as you hold the money until you're fully satisfied, things will be done your way. But the minute you let go of the money, you let go of the power.
So things will be done your way only if the other guy wants to do it your way and he probably doesn't.
He knows he's got the strategic advantage. And he knows you can't do a thing, even if he does nothing but tell you to get lost, and spends your money with impunity.
Another thing that makes me skeptical of most scam schemes was a lesson I learned from Law 12 from the book, 48 Laws of Power. This law gave me an insightful story about a con man called Count Victor Lustig. He had visited Al Capone and requested $50, 000 promising to double it in 60 days. The count took the money, placed it in a safe deposit, continued with his life. After 60 days, he returned to the Capone, and regretfully told him, he couldn't double the money. The Capone had expected this, what he didn't expect was Count Victor returning his $50, 000 to the penny. The Capone was astonished, and he handed $5, 000 to him for his honesty.
People get taken in financial dealings in more than one way. Some con artists use selective honesty, some don't.
I am not writing this article today to dent anyone's image, no, anyone can do whatever they want as long as it puts money in their pockets, and they can sleep peacefully at night.
I am merely writing it to tell you that you shouldn't joke with good opportunities especially if you are on Hive or read.cash, if you are planning to make the most out of the financial world.
If you have encountered other scam ventures in the past, you should consider taking a step back, and give Hive and read cash a try. It's a crypto platform that is bound to outlive other ones. Put your money, time, energy, and resources here, and you won't regret your decision.
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/illustrations/fake-forgery-counterfeit-fraud-1726362/
This post was edited to suit read cash, it was first posted here, 8 hours ago https://www.proofofbrain.io/hive-150329/@edystringz/i-didn-t-realize-i-was-taking-it-all-for-granted
Can common people change policies?
I woke up this morning and went outside for a bit of fresh air, there, I met a friend. I had planned to question him regarding his work as Peace Mindset Ambassador. Seeing as him today made me recall such a plan.
Previously, fresh air had taken me outside once, and I found my neighbor with an unfamiliar lady, I reluctantly joined them.
That evening, I had the privilege of listening to conversations that helped formed this writing.
The lady I met with my neighbor was discussing cultism and the activities of the cultists in her home town. No, she started with the issues of youths stealing people's building material and trying to sell them to a buyer.
Why? My neighbor reported a recent stealing,in my area. He explained that someone had stolen his friend's motor part the previous night, and sold it the next morning. Immediately, that friend of his, walked into our conversation, and told my neighbor, he is going to punish the suspect, and that he will do it with his last blood.
It was this issue that made the lady tell us her experience with a "steal and sell human". The guy who stoles in her story, had wanted to sell the building materials to her dad. What the guy wasn't aware of was the fact that her dad understood he stole the item. So, her dad refused to buy from him
Interestingly, the owner of the building materials came to her dad, and and reported the robbery. Her dad intuitively told the owner he can help him get his materials back, if only, he will be able to play along.
The lady's father called the seller pretending to be interested in buying the materials, while the owner sat down with him, making it look as though he came to sell stuff as well.
So once the thief made it to her dad's shop, everyone was waiting to catch him red handed. That robbery was resolved in that manner, but this topic proceeded to the part where she said, her dad was familiar with the Ambassador of peace in her community.
She explained this Ambassador made sure the boys especially the cultists, in the city, do not create scenes or make trouble in the community by taking all possible measures. Now, the this was the part that made me curious about the role of my friend who was an Ambassador as well.
I have heard him talk about it but I wasn't always showing interest nor paying attention to him. Now, having a governance dcc tag article to publish, I knew I needed to find out.
This morning, I asked him what his role as a peace ambassador was, and he explained that anyone who is a Peace Ambassador makes sure that peace reigns in the locality he is officiating in. Whatever, would warrant war, or violence is usually resolved amicably, thereby, eliminating the need for violence.
Impressive right? I thought so too because I have a seen him try this stuff a couple of times. I never knew it was his job description. He exercised such control over things that could cause fights even in my compound. I was impressed.
However, he did say something that I wanted to focus my post on today. It's about policies. He explained that the biggest challenge he is facing in his job as a Peace Ambassador is having to deal with policies that do not favor the people he is protecting
He said it doesn't always matter if the people ask for new policies or not. And that in cases, the government usually pretends to support new policies but will always go behind the people's back, and restructure those policies to suit them.
It was heartbreaking, and his facial expression showed he was hurting. It will shock you to know that my pity ended a few seconds later when I found a rather jovial, funny, yet thought-provoking article on creating policies
Follow through the link to read it up
Socialist Governing Stuff for Dummies - How to Radical Leftist like a Boss https://peakd.com/bernie/@nooses/socialist-governing-stuff-for-dummies-how-to-radical-leftist-like-a-boss
I loved the first line of the post
Create a problem with nice-sounding policies.
As the problem ramps up
Blame the other side and
Position yourself as the solution
To the problem your policies created
but shhhhh....
Why? It described what my friend complained about. You see, a lot of people create policies that favors them, and no matter how the common people wants to change it, it always remains at how they want it to be.
Are there ways this acts can be changed? Tell me in the comment box
Lead image source https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/12/07/09/38/fax-1889056_1280.jpg
It's beginning.... What is?
A step towards who I am. I won't stop now, the world is looking. I can't afford to be an average at it either. So I'll strive to be nothing but the best.
I will take up every tool that is needed to ensure my success, and I won't be deterred by anything. I will lose some of the things, people, habits, or lifestyles that I have to because of this.
This is just like being a parent. Not knowing where to start, to raise a child, but, starting anyway, because your legacy needs to be passed on
The world is waiting for my manifestation, and although, I have the least amount of talents and skills, I won't stop until I manifest. I will find all the tiny pieces and mold them into an awesome creation.
Mother nature will grant me all my wishes, as long as they align with my goals, purpose, and destiny. I will try not to abuse privileges. I will stick to appreciating the things she will so rightly give me. I will reshape, reform, and enhance them into tools that catapult me to greatness.
Yes, I am scared and odd as it may sound, I should be. And that is because I live in a world so rough, I can easily be crushed if I do not stand tall. I will reinforce my fears into faith, I'll feed my faith, this way, my doubts will have no other option, than to starve to death.
There will be times when I'll panic, but, it is a necessity, for it will keep me at my toes. The possibility of acting or feeling reluctant will be diminished because if I fail, the folks whose destiny is interwoven with mine will fail too. That will entire generations of failure, a massive one at that.
I must forget instant gratification, and aim for future satisfactions, for there will come a time when my eyes will be dim, and my bones feeble, then, I will begin to appreciate the joy of youths. For a time like this, the seeds I had sown as a youth may have been nurtured, and grown, and I'll be picking the fruits as it sprouts on the tree of life.
Far be it from me that I refuse to take up the cross of my destiny, but rely on lazy adventures, in hopes of finding quick returns, that will be utter madness. One with no cure of course.... or maybe, there will be one.
*It's beginning... what is? A step towards who I was meant to be.*
***PS: Again, another play at words. I hope that it will inspire someone to do all it takes today, so that tomorrow, he wouldn't have to work harder anymore, instead, sit back, and enjoy the fruits of his labor*****.**
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/illustrations/chinese-characters-background-fate-676651/
Second image source https://pixabay.com/illustrations/cube-fate-luck-sky-3d-blender-1361436/
Get to know me better...... I am a connoisseur of beauty
It’s ravishing to be here and for the first time in my life, I have found a place where I can be more expressive about my feelings.
It’s amazing how I just got here but I already feel at home with the environ. Yes, read.cash allows me to read just as many articles as possible, this morning, and all three has made my day already.
I am optimistic that I am going to have lots of fun here, and it will because of the amazing people I will be meeting starting today.
Edystringz https://www.facebook.com/ble.stringz
Step by step, I will dive into this horizon, find my place, and begin to feel the forms, that makes each and everyone of you unique, and interesting.
For the most part, I do not know which part of me that I will be writing about here. Neither, do I know which niche, but, I can assure you that my heart is bumbling with the vibes needed to spur you up with thoughtful and interesting articles on a daily basis.
It’s an unspeakable joy, and, I can feel it trying to raise me off my bed, and move me to my computer, so that my fingers can start penning down, one of the most beautiful creation, in the form of words.
Albeit, you do not have reasons to worry, and that is because, you can be rest assured, this bird isn’t going to be leaving soon. She will be here for a long while, constantly, chirping melodic sounds, for your personal enjoyment.
It will soothes your heart, soul, spirit, and body. It will uplift your very being. It will catapult you to greater heights. You will be walking and spiraling around in fantasy.
For the most part, she might try to be naughty, it lives in her. It’s a complete reflection of who she really is. You should not worry, she knows when to play, and when to get serious.
Yes, she changes forms like fluid, she takes up the shape of anything she finds. It helps her stay in harmony with nature, and feel the abundance that it provides.
She is always evolving, albeit, constantly, due to an unending desire to seek knowledge and use them.
The scariest part of her is the ability to isolate completely. Working alone makes her go faster, most times, she appreciates working with people, so she can go far. It is a a part of her that still needs rehabilitating.
Yet, she isn’t giving up on herself, because, she believes, she can learn to do anything, that anyone else can do.
The tiny bit and pieces of her life has been a life examples to others. Although, she has left most attributes behind, she can feel it in her bones, that those nature, she nurtured is still a part of her, waiting for the right time to be unleashed.
Do not get carried away, I was only trying to mess up your mind this morning, and I hope, I succeeded....lol
PS: I am sorry, I was just playing around with words this morning. It felt good, and I decided to share it with you guys. I don't even know what to call this .... someone help me with a name ☺️
This post first appeared **here** **i just wanted to share it with you guys, today.** https://peakd.com/hive-150329/@edystringz/get-to-know-me-better-i-am-a-connoisseur-of-beauty
Do you love science fiction too? Let's dive into your imagination
Initially, I used to think all the film tricks that happen in science fiction movies were real.
Until I got interested in learning Artificial intelligence as part of my Computer Course, there, my teacher explained that most of them aren't in existence yet.. it is just a broad look into the future through imagination.
Even after I found out about it, I was still very much intrigued by them. The ability to use time machines to go back and forth life sounded interesting.
Return to your past using a Time Machine https://pixabay.com/illustrations/time-science-fiction-fantasy-3662717/
You know it makes me wonder if one can go back in time and change some of the things, they regret doing or enjoyed doing.
Now, I remember a time travel articles, and the changes that occurred in that time travel wasn't a good one but was very funny.
Johnny, the character who was angry about being duped by his friend went back to time and cut off the fingers that programmed his means of earning, yet, duped him. When he returned, what he got wasn't anything to write home about.
So, my imaginations are always stopped in their tracks when I remember that once we alter something in the past or future using time machines, it changes everything, and such change may not be what we wanted or expected.
*Moral lesson: we should watch the decisions that we make today, so we don't have to look for means to change them tomorrow, thereby, escalating the damage, instead of resolving them.*
The next part of science fiction movies that intrigues me is extraterrestrial life.
Have you seen an Alien today? https://pixabay.com/illustrations/woman-model-alien-make-up-flower-5464951/
I often love this part the most because I am always amazed by how an extraterrestrial life had abilities and intelligence that we can explore and use to our advantage as humans.
I imagine dissecting their brains, running them through the microscope, and finding exploitable facts, and information.
We could use their knowledge to advance our planet faster and efficiently. We wouldn't be doing a trial and error, because they already have past experiences.
What we will be getting, will be a laid down manual highlighting cause and effect, and the safety procedures needed to ensure a fast spread of civilization for humanity.
What about space exploration, colonization, and war with extraterrestrial life?
War with humans https://pixabay.com/illustrations/photo-manipulation-alien-foreign-1825450/
We already know someone who is doing space exploration, so I do not need to get into all the details. However, I want you to imagine the eruption of war between humans and extraterrestrial beings....who do you think will win?
Do not forget the movies portrays extraterrestrial lives as intelligent creatures, and most of the movies I have seen do a good job of making them surpass us in wit and war planning (until the end of the movie though).
Fight to death https://pixabay.com/illustrations/mars-war-soldiers-smoke-aliens-4861107/
So, if it's happening, it means the humans will have to suffer in their hands first, then, being humans created to be in charge of all other beings in the universe, we will double-cross them, and take over our earth, sending all of them back to whatever planet they came from......(such a hilarious imagination for a tiny lady 🤣)
Now, this is the part, I have no idea if it's kick-starting already... someone should tell me if it is. I am talking about advanced technology such as cyborgs or robots and artificial intelligence.
Robots https://pixabay.com/illustrations/girl-woman-face-eyes-close-up-320262/
I can be very lazy, and when I think of robots, I think of them as creations that I can have at home to send them on errands.
Imagine having a programmed robot that can cook, do the dishes, and clean the house. That means extra time on my hands to look into more productive things.
Even though the world is saying robots may turn into tigers and try to destroy their creators, I don't want to imagine the worst-case scenarios....not at all.
I try to keep my imagination to the positive attributes of having robots around the world in various industries, doing the things humans can do, yet, not interfering with our lives, negatively.
Teleportation....who wants to teleport to another country? Raise your hands 🙋.
Let's go see the world https://pixabay.com/illustrations/science-fiction-teleportation-2127670/
This is another part of science fiction that interests me. I can go anywhere by boycotting the charges and security checking associated with airports and transportation agencies.
I apologize in advance because for this part, I'll imagine the bad things instead of the good ones.
I see those who are into illegal business using teleportation to ship illegal goods into the country.
They will be able to bypass every form of security checking and run underground businesses away from the eyes of the security personnel.
Nope, they won't get caught...don't imagine it because I know, codes can be created that can take into account those tiny details that could prevent anyone from finding out...so no getting caught.... except someone in the circle gets intoxicated by hatred and envy, and leaks the resources to the police.
There are more things to talk about, and crazy stuff to imagine about them. You will also find my imagination in bioengineering, cybernetics, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, faster-than-light travel, artificial gravity, etc.
There are vast opportunities in artificial intelligence, and science fiction has done a great job bringing them into the light.
I just can't wait to finish my Artificial intelligence classes and drilling...I imagine being one of the humans that will revolutionize the world with just a few lines of code.
I cannot wait to explore these zones, I am hoping that the knowledge of computer programming will help me achieve this. By bringing some of the author's imaginations into life in a positive way.
What do you think?
Good morning from this part of the world 🥳
This post was inspired by @NakamotoBch
Would you love to be someone different?
Yes, she explained that most of us use labels to restrict ourselves, yet, some of us free ourselves using labels too.
Which category are you in? No, which one I'm I?
I'll take the latter. Labels like homonyms take cognizant of words that are spelled differently but have the same meaning. In this context, I'll be using labels concerning names.
In life, we are restricted by the names that we call a thing. We think not giving them names makes it too broad. So, we often categorize everything.
If one is starting a blog, and you do your research, you find out that the internet sticks with one fact... You have to be restricted to a particular niche so that Google will be able to understand what it is your blog centers upon. Not only Google but, a niche helps, your followers know what kind of business you are into.
This means in writing, people categorize their form of writing. Most people do Copywriting, others center upon satires, there is fiction and non-fiction, fiction is further expanded when you are thinking science fiction writings. Some of us are in love with writing or reading romance novels, others prefer documentaries.
All of these are the forms by which the things we do are labeled.
Getting into college, we discover that the courses we study are labeled. One has to be in the Sciences, or Engineering, Environmental, Agric-extension, etc.
Yet, we will still find sub-courses under these fields. For instance, sciences have the Medical Science, Physical Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences.
Under them, students still have to choose courses, like Botany, Microbiology, Mathematics, and Statistics, etc.
Engineering will ask students to take up courses such as Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, etc.
If we are looking into record labels and music, we find that folks are restricted to the kinds of music they listen to. There will always be fans of hip hop, country music, Jazz, EDM, classical music, etc.
If we think harder, we shouldn't restrict ourselves to the boundaries set by society through the use of labels.
We should be able to flow with the rhythm set by all areas of life. We should be able to merge the past and the present into all areas of our lives. It's a guarantee to help us find out voice.
Getting stuck in one label makes us unable to see past the present. We cannot think beyond now. Whereas, we should be able to see several steps ahead of everything we engage in. The yin and yang of our lives should be in unison instead of apart.
None of the things we do in life should be separated. We should learn them all, and fuses them into a wonderful piece.
Someone who dances rhodanese can use leg work for kungfu. A drunkard should be able to use the staggering movement to kick asses. Someone who writes should be able to get into it. the skin of anything. It doesn't have to be fiction or science-related.
One should be able to use two knowledge and brand them into a perfect piece. Real Life experiences shouldn't be stuck with one's area of inclination.
Society makes sure we are uncomfortable with having an interest in many fields. Yet, it keeps us away from valuable lessons, training, and information. Someone who is well versed in lots of areas will be able to judge things clearly from all angles, than someone who sticks with one side view.
You could be seeing a 9 and your opponent is seeing a 6, but what if you step out of yourself, and see both angles of life? It will be a good thing because your judgment wouldn't be myopic at all.
The beauty of life is in the diversity that we enjoy. Each of us should stay in tune with everything life has to offer, and see if it's worth it or not.
In the beginning, I asked, which category of people I'm in?
I am in the category that loves all genres of music. I accept everyone irrespective of what others think of them. I am one of those who taste every side before I conclude.
I want to write about everything as long as it speaks to one person out there. I am someone who constantly wants to evolve to suit time, place, and situation. I do not stay stuck in one identity. I could be someone today, and another person tomorrow. As long as I stay in tune with my Chi.
Which category of labels are you?
This is a prompt by @JonicaBradley
The rules are simple:
Write anything on Labels
Write 100% original content
Write at least 600 words (so Rusty will drop by and beer generous)
Tag me @JonicaBradley https://read.cash/@JonicaBradley
Join the **Promptly Jonica** community and submit your story or article there. https://read.cash/c/promptlyjonica-b4a0
HAVE FUN!
I am tagging @TengoLoTodo because he asked to be tagged to the previous prompt.
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/vectors/tape-red-decor-for-the-web-plate-2410588/
I'll be taking 7 days break from Read.cash
I just discovered July is over, and August is here. There has been a lot of hype about this month in terms of cryptocurrency, and I am secretly hoping it will live up to everyone's expectations.
I woke up this morning, feeling very tired, my body secretly wants to be lazy. She wants to lay on the bed all day, reading stories without lifting a finger. She is screaming, **"Edy, c'mon, let's be lazy for 7 days, and see what happens"**
I bet you, the feeling is nice, I am already imagining the things I would be doing in seven days if I ain't online, or working hard on anything.
My body wants me to stay home, for 7 days, no classes, no writing of posts, no comments, etc.
While I was thinking it through, I discover there is just one place I could be, and every iota of lazy ideas my mind can come with can be implemented.
It's going home to mum and dad. Yes, you heard me. I am a tiny lady who asked to be allowed to find her path, and once I left the teens, my dad agreed.
I was able to convince him by working very hard and raising the money I needed as proof that he doesn't have to worry about me, because, I will be okay. He had already instilled the hardworking spirit in all of us, and so when he saw a carbon copy of who he is, he decided there was no point holding me back.
When I tell people, I stay alone, they usually have to first look at how tiny I am, and then, show disbelief that a father would allow a young lady away from his eyes.
I try not to explain to them that when the scripture said, "Train up a child, in the way, he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it", it wasn't a lie.
They think that every child who leaves home always ends up becoming wayward, and that leaves a bad print on the name of the family, they came from.
In my case, it was different. I grew up under strict parents, and they cautioned all my actions with love. And I accepted and learned everything they taught with love.
Although I am away from them, I find out that everything they taught me still remains with me. I find it difficult to stray, and I don't know why. Yes, I do, I am fulfilling the scripture, I guess.
Telling you about my childhood will be the story for another day. Today, I want to tell you how my body feels about this week and this month.
So, when she said, **"let's go home"** she understood that at home, I will not have to do anything. Spending time with my family makes time go faster. Since I am always away for a while, I usually return with lots of jokes, information, and experiences to share with everyone.
So, if I had allowed my body to detect my activity for this week. All I would have been doing may have been, watching Nickelodeon with my kid brother (yeah, I am still a child at heart), gisting mum about life away from home, arguing and sharing discoveries about Hive, POB with my brother and my sister, eating, and sleeping, and of course, missing my phone.
It would have been fun, I guarantee it. But I have lots of things to do. Last month had been great, I did make lots of decisions that, I am sorry, I cannot share with you, but, they were decisions that build my confidence level in myself.
For August, I am willing to go all the way, making sure I show up every day, ranging from posts, comments, etc. I will not allow my body to feel lazy about any of these things, especially, if she is trying to do so in a selfish way.
For you, reading this, I hope to see you take up your pen, and let's fill this platform with wonderful thoughts in the form of posts and comments.
And don't forget to participate in the PromptlyJonica here. You will be glad you did. https://read.cash/c/promptlyjonica-b4a0
It's going to be one long August, but, I'll make sure that I make the most of everyday and every opportunity..... I hope that you will too.
oh no! The title was a bait.... ouch.... I am sorry 😆
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/illustrations/month-august-flowers-calligraphy-6389734/
A happy new month to all the fathers in the world
I was once asked by my teacher in primary school, who I loved most between my father and my mother. I didn't have an answer then. I could not tell.
As I look back now, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable today, if someone were to ask me such a question.
I remember that half of the class told the teacher it was their mother they loved most, they went on to explain why they felt so, listing cooking for them, bathing them, washing their clothes, etc, as part of
why they loved their mother more.
I remember one boy saying that his father was never at home, and whenever he came back, he would just go into his room and sleep.
Maybe I thought too much for my age then, maybe I understood too much, but as a child, I could see the sacrifices my father made, they didn't seem loud but they made a great impact, so much impact that I could feel today.
The place of the mother, can't be taken away.
Pregnancy.
Labour.
The pains that come with childbirth.
The general maintenance and care of the household, etc.
Mothers are extraordinary
My father didn't get past class four, as it was called in those days, an equivalent of today's Secondary School Three ( SS3).
His father, my grandfather, was a trader, he did business with the British on the coast of Calabar, he was one of the first indigenous people to trade with them.
He dealt in Ceramics and Silverware.
It was in doing business with the white man that he learnt how to speak a little disjointed English, that was why he vowed that he would make sure my father was well educated.
Unfortunately, shortly after, my grandfather died, leaving my father at the mercy of his uncles, who cared less about his welfare, obviously because they too had their responsibilities.
My father managed to attend the village school, paying his fees from the proceeds of palm oil, gotten from endless farming and long walks to and fro faraway villages to sell them.
Who would think that someone like that, who had been through a lot to get to where he should enjoy his life, still sacrifice all he has to make sure his family are comfortable.
In the nineties, the cost of a Volkswagen Beetle car was sold for a thousand three hundred naira.
My father could have joined the ranks of car owners at the time, but that was the money he used in paying our fees, and in a private school.
He chose our education, future and wellbeing over luxury. It took him another ten years to buy himself a car, that was after we convinced him as his children, of the need for him to have a car.
It was part of his savings for the five years he worked at the local council, that he also gave my mother some money to start the Palm oil business since he already knew a thing about it.
You see, as I grew up, being the first of three children, I started seeing my father in a different light,those nights he would come back and not eat, and the days he would just take a spoon and ask us to come and carry the plates.
I would wonder how he knew that we hadn't eaten to our satisfaction, how he knew to get us Christmas clothes before December.
I always saw my mother wear new clothes every Sunday to church and during women meetings in our community, but my father had few clothes, as I write this, I can remember what they looked like, he would only wear a hat to look different on some days.
I can remember him many times looking at us and shaking his head as we left for school in our oversized uniforms, sewn to last us a lifetime if possible, he never complained, his calm personality brought him lots of admiration from people.
All of these thoughts and memories came to my head when yesterday at a traditional marriage while reading a notebook I saw on the ground of the secondary school it held, I saw a student write ten reasons he loved his mother more than his father, one reason was that his father was barely at home.
I laughed because I could count the number of times I saw my father at home.
But today I understand better, I know that he was always out there so that we, his children, and can
have food on our table and a roof over our head, he was out there, so we can be here, hale and hearty.
Shout out to all father's in the world. I wish them all a happy new month
#fiction
Lead image source https://pixabay.com/photos/baby-child-daughter-family-girl-17369/
Let's answer some of your Blockchain questions
The blockchain space is wide and there are a lot of sectors under it. We have seen blockchain tech support cryptocurrencies and protocols such as NFTs, DeFi, and many more. With these many sectors and features, there are core questions newbies need answers to.
How Does Blockchain Work?
A blockchain could be a combination of three important concepts which are blocks, nodes, and miners.
Each chain comprises various blocks and each block has three essential components which are the data inside the square, a nonce which is haphazardly created when a block is made, and a hash that is wedded to the nonce.
When a block of a sequence is made, a nonce generates a cryptographic hash. This data is signed and tied to the nonce unless it's mined.
Miners create new blocks on a sequence through a process called mining. Each block has its remarkable nonce and hash yet additionally references the hash of the past block inside the chain. Mining a block is not simple, particularly on enormous chains.
What’s the Difference Between Blockchain and Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a digital currency used for online transactions. With Bitcoin, you'll be able to send or receive money anonymously without the requirement for a third party.
Bitcoin is simply an example of a cryptocurrency. All cryptocurrencies are powered by blockchain technology.
These cryptocurrencies include the likes of Ethereum, Solana, EOS, Tron, BNB, and more. These cryptocurrencies rely upon blockchain’s open peer-to-peer network and also the stability of the blocks to record transactions and their history.
Although Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies use blockchain technology, blockchain is quite just bitcoin. It goes far beyond just being employed for financial transactions.
With blockchain, you'll execute smart contracts, maintain transparent records and strengthen the protection of your private data. Blockchain is the core behind cryptocurrencies.
What Is A Smart Contract?
A smart contract is a code that's deployed to the blockchain. Each smart contract contains code that may have a predefined set of inputs. Smart contracts also can store data.
Following the distributed model of the blockchain, smart contracts run on each hub during this innovation, and each contract's information is stored in each hub. This information can regularly be questioned at any time.
How Secure Is Blockchain Technology?
In light of its decentralized nature, blockchain technology is secured from data manipulation. There's no cytoplasm controlling the network and thus, manipulating the network is impossible.
Any change made to the network is distributed to all or any users within the network to ensure all records on the network are transparent.
Since the information is seen and shared with all the users within the network, no data can be manipulated.
Blockchain innovation is so secure when contrasted with traditional frameworks where one who accesses the controlling body can get to private information and even take assets from the network.
What Are The Benefits Of Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain technology has completely changed the financial industry. There’s been a large shift from traditional transactions to anonymous digital transactions. There are blockchain protocols that may complete transactions within split seconds.
There are plenty of advantages that include blockchain technology. With blockchain technology, organizations don't have to keep separate databases.
Since blockchain uses a distributed ledger, all participants within the network get access to the same information at the same time providing complete transparency.
Another benefit is that blockchain enhances the safety of a company by hiding personal data and preventing access to such data without permission.
Since information is stored across a network of computers, it's quite difficult for hackers to get access to such data as well as view it.
How Can One Earn with Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies?
There are such a large amount of ways to earn from the blockchain industry.
One way to earn is through staking. This is the method of locking up your funds in a cryptocurrency and earning new cryptocurrencies within a variety of interests.
There are many cryptocurrencies you'll be able to stake and earn returns from them. A number of these include Tezos, DASH, Binance Coin (BNB), Tatcoin, UniSwap, and lots more.
You can also buy cryptocurrencies and HODL them. This is often the most popular means of earning with cryptocurrencies.
All you have got to try to do is buy cryptocurrencies with long-term potential and hold them as their price increases over time.
You can always sell the profits you have gained as the price increases and still HODL for more profits.
Another alternative is selling off when the value is high and buying when the value is low. You can increase the number of cryptocurrencies you HODL.
Next to purchasing and HODLing is crypto trading. Crypto trading involves buying and selling cryptocurrencies for a gross margin.
Buying and HODLing are remarked as Spot trading. you'll be able to also trade cryptocurrencies daily and earn profits from them.
Lead image https://pixabay.com/photos/ask-sign-design-creative-2341784/
Have you ever had to serve in prison for something you didn't do?
One evening, I decided to log into my Facebook account. The first post that appeared on my feed was a friend disclosing a murder story. Let's say, this person's name is Mike, the names of the two people involved in the murder story are Daniel, and Kingsley.
Mike said, Kingsley, lend Daniel some money, and he had requested his payment on several occasions. Daniel didn't want to refund the money, one evening, he asked Kingsley to come over to the house for his money.
Kingsley must have felt some relief washed over him because he was finally going to get his money back. He had no idea that the relief he felt was that of death.
According to the report, just as Kingsley crossed into Daniel's neighborhood, Daniel ran him over with his car. 😴
The name of the human who killed another human was quite familiar. I had heard the story previously before this day. I just didn't pay attention to all the details until that evening.
Once I saw the original name of Kingsley, it rang a bell. So, I went on WhatsApp and tried confirming his identity with a few friends who were familiar with him too. It turned out he was the one.
Everyone was shocked because Daniel's family are all well to do. And could afford the small change he was owing Kingsley. I had no idea why he had to kill his friend over a small sum of money.
He had recently returned from the United States, where he stayed with the rest of his family. They returned because their dad died, and the burial was conducted here.
I don't know if they never returned to the USA after the burial, but this accident proved they didn't.
Once I thought about it, I remembered, his late dad, had some issues with the church, and it was a leadership conflict. A conflict that separated the church, and caused a lot of grudges to arise amid the brethren.
I do not want to say it's family genes to cause harm to other people's lives. No, I am telling you this story because I will be focusing on Justice.
Do you know the next day, as I searched for that post on Mike's profile, I couldn't find it anymore? Do you know what happened?
I am sure, the family of Daniel had threatened the writer to take it down from his wall. They must have covered up the case since they are influential. And they have their reputation at stake.
I won't be here to judge no..... That is because as a family, we are supposed to protect our own, no matter the offense, they commit... right? I have no idea.
If you look into society you will see that the word, justice, is barely practiced.
A killer goes Scott-free, and the innocent get thrown into jail to rot. An abusive husband walks Scot free, while the wife(his victim) lives a fearful life as a result of the terrible experience and trauma. A friend backstabs his or her friend and goes on to live comfortably, while the recipient, hurts like hell, and never trusts again.
We say justice with our lips but never quite practice them.
Young men, these days are beginning to understand where the value of money lies. They make tons of dollars daily but are harassed by the police. The police find offense in every word and action there, with claims that the guys are breaking the law. All in a bit to dig into their pockets and go home with a huge sum of money
Yesterday, while we were waiting for the bus scheduled to take us on the traditional marriage trip, my friends discussed their traveling experiences. One told us he is usually extra careful with his bags while on a journey. And that was because if he happens to sit close to an individual who is heavily into drugs. There is every possibility that the human will transfer the content of his bag to that of my friend's bag, to implicate him in case of a search warrant and walk Scot free.
On the highway, we also have law officials patrolling and checking passengers and buses for illegal belongings. Anyone caught with such items will be apprehended. Imagine, knowing that you are carrying illegal goods, and your bus is stopped for checking, of course, you will look for a scapegoat.
It is this kind of scene that innocent people suffer for things they knew nothing about. And the official won't believe a word, they say, because, there are evident everywhere.
Having a criminal record isn't a good idea, it ruins one's image and reputation. Most times, we are not guilty of the offense that we are charged for. We just find ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, or right places, but wrong timing.
Justice is way overrated. Most people are lucky to get it. Others don't. If you have a good lawyer, you might get it, but if your opponent is heavily rooted in the system, you may not get justice.
Yes, in the morning, before leaving for the marriage, I decided to see a movie to while away time. And it was a Justice influenced movie.
There was this character whole enjoys killing. He had gone to a small town, and gun down, three people. The head of the town demanded that he should be hung so justice can be served.
There was a breach, the accused was the son of the most feared emperor in the city. His father was a ruthless leader, and no town dares to offend him.
His son was confident that no harm will. come to him because of where he came from, and a lot of lives were lost in the process of gaining justice.
in the end, justice won.... yes, the good always wins over the bad... in movies. Reality? it's hard to tell.
Does setting free a wrongly convicted person solve the trauma associated with the experience?
"The post-traumatic stress faced by a wrongly convicted person who has awaited execution by the government doesn’t dissipate simply because the state frees the inmate, apologizes, or even provides financial compensation—which often is not the case."
Quote source https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/sentenced-to-death-but-innocent-these-are-stories-of-justice-gone-wrong
Most times, justice is served, but it often takes years. By that time, the accused must have lost quite a good number of years. I often wonder where they will start from, after their release.
Most of them will come to the realization that the family they left behind might have died off, or moved away.
There are those whom justice never get serves but, are Lucky (if you call this luck) to be a part of a prison break or prison riot that sets them free.
Where will they start to take off the piece of their lives. If they do not seek medical and psychological attention, the repercussions is severe.
There is always a positive side to everything. Most people often learn to make lemonade out of lemons that life presents them with.
So, there are those who serve prison terms, either guilty or not guilty, and while in prison cogitate over everything they did as a free man.
These thoughts transcends into activities they indulge in when they are released (positive activity). In those moments of quietness, when the world stops, they reconstruct their thoughts, developing them into positive ideas.
Those rekindled ideas makes them powerful upon their release, instead of making them vulnerable to psycho ideologies and mindsets.
Perhaps, I would say that justice is served for these folks by letting them into the spotlight that helps them set the world on fire. Justice is served by granting them access to knowledge and realization of methods that can be enforced in to the society, for their personal benefits, and the families they left behind for many years.
Does this happen? You should tell me.
Image source https://pixabay.com/vectors/prisoner-gangster-convict-296515/
Thursdays are for Traditional Marriages...... Have you attended one this week?
Today was both fun and hectic. One of my colleague had a marriage ceremony, and I joined my friends to grace the occasion.
I'll make this post as short as possible because I am really tired, and all I want to do is have my bath and go to bed.🙂
I didn't stay till the end because it was getting late, and the distance was a bit far.
I took a shot of the Master of Ceremony (MC) and you can see he was doing his thing, and enjoying himself at the same time.
I moved forward and got a shot of the beautifully decorated sit of the bride and groom. I couldn't help smiling when I took this shot because the designer did an amazing job.
I was about to go join my friends, when I noticed the dancers were ready to display their dance steps. So I took a shot of the lady who dance the most among all three
Now, this guys saw that I was busy taking shots of every little thing, they asked that I take a photo of them too. They displayed different postures but I am letting you guys see this one because I loved it. I was happy they invited me to take this shot. Throughout the event, they acted all lively, and made everyone whom they came in contact with, laugh a lot.
This handsome fellow is the reason we all left our homes today. This was his traditional attire, Saturday will be the wedding day. I am not sure I'll attend, but, if I do, I'll make sure to bring home photos for all of you. He made sure we were taken care of, we had enough food and drinks before the event began. He danced alot, to show his happiness. By the way, his bride was really beautiful, sorry...no photo for you, I couldn't get one. 😌
I don't think this marriage would have been any fun if we didn't have the presence of the brass band. They were cool with all of their instruments. They made everyone dance to their heart contents. I have the videos, I had them recorded. They enjoyed the fact that they were being recorded, and some of them were making happy faces at me for capturing the moments.
I am sorry,that's all the pictures I took. The rest of the event was recorded. I had the dancers recorded, and the brass band. I also recorded the entry of the groom, alongside my friends dancing and jubilating.
I just couldn't stay till the end, a young lady had to return home early for the sake of her safety.
I wish my colleague and his wife a happy married life.
If you had come this far, I appreciate you. Thank you. I'll head off to bed now. Good night everyone ❤️❤️
All pictures are mine
Do you believe in the power behind witchcraft and demons?
I had a friend who usually fell sick in our first year at the University.
His mother had recommended one prayer house for him, where he went on endless fasting and prayer at least twice a week.
He told me he began falling sick when he got admitted into school and moved to the hostel.
His mother believed that his uncles in the village didn't want him to go to school.
He believed it too, especially when a prophet said it in one of the prayer night he attended once.
One time he fell sick, he could not move, so we took him to the school clinic.
Some tests were conducted and some medications were prescribed for him, but he was still ill.
He was then advised to visit the teaching hospital and see a professional doctor.
By this time he had gotten so lean and worn out.
He cried a lot and even told the doctor that his relatives were after his life because he got admitted into the school.
The doctor looked at him and laughed.
He asked him the last time he went to a hospital to do a routine check-up.
As it were, he had never done so.
The doctor told him no one was trying to kill him, he told him what's happening to him is as a result of the change in environment.
He told him it would take time for his immune system to adapt to the current environment, all he needed to do was maintain good health habits, drink treated water and use mosquito nets to sleep at night.
In three weeks, my friend became strong and healthy and never fell sick again.
Our cultural and religious backgrounds have over time sustained our beliefs in the fallacy that illnesses can be orchestrated from unseen covens and witchcraft.
If you ask a typical Nigerian today, when they last went for a checkup, they will laugh.
Some of them fall sick and assume it's malaria, they saunter into a medicine shop and get malaria drugs and think they are safe, when in truth they are not.
The human body is very delicate and vulnerable, if trees and animals could fall sick and die, how much more humans.
A tumor may have developed in your brain or any part of your body unnoticed, and then one day you slump and die, if you are young, it'll be concluded that you were bewitched and killed by someone when it's a health-related case.
Normalize checking in with a Doctor from time to time.
Your health should be paramount.
Your job would be useless if you are dead, so find time to rest and exercise.
Eat fruits and drink plenty of water.
Live healthily.
Image source https://pixabay.com/illustrations/gothic-fantasy-dark-female-witch-1485829/
The love of a father can only be equated to the love of God
A boy is always thought to hide his pain, no matter the intensity of the pain he goes through. It is even worse with a father.
A father leaves his pain outside his doorstep so he can make his family smile. If a mother is an embodiment of love, then a father is the epitome of sacrifice.
One definition of sacrifice is giving up something temporarily good for something eternally better.
Fathers are best at this, a good father, who understands the intricacies of being a child, goes out of his way to provide for his child no matter how hard, that is sacrifice.
I know a man, who is a tailor. The kind of tailor who sews only the clothes of his days, not modern tailor.
He has six children. Two boys and four girls. I often wonder how he caters to his children.
He goes to the shop early in the morning and returns at night. Somehow they manage to eat, how through school, and dress neatly.
This man, ever-smiling and very humble.
One day during a conversation with his friend, I overheard him say that what gives him the rest of his mind is the belief that his children will be great people in society, and that is why he is always ready to sacrifice his last penny for their upkeep.
I know how seeing him make those sacrifices make me wish I had money enough to share, enough to hand him some and say "here, take it and make your children greater", I already imagine how happy he would be.
One might ask, where do bad fathers come from then? Who are the fathers who are not sacrificial and loving?
Well, how a person grows up matters a lot. It is usually difficult for someone who has not had love to give love.
A lot of fathers were not raised with love, attention, or care. But deep down, a father's love for his child cannot be quantified, neither can it be underestimated.
Understanding a father can be very difficult sometimes as their actions sometimes usually betray their true intentions towards their children.
They tend to see the future with the exactitude of a Jewish prophet and try to position things so they fall in place, they do this with the best intentions, so their children can live a near-perfect and comfortable life.
We may not all agree with their methods, the love of a father can only be equated to the love of God, and God does things as he pleases but with good intentions.
lead image https://pixabay.com/photos/girl-father-portrait-family-1641215/
My husband loves me to a fault, I don't know about yours
Our class teacher then, Aunty Onome, as we called her was very kind, Rumour had it that she had been married for nine years without having a child.
It was hard to believe because I grew up believing that people who get married and can't bear children were usually bitter, especially towards the children of other people.
You can't blame me, I grew up watching a lot of terrible home videos, but Aunty Onome was in school every day, teaching and playing with us.
I noticed how she would carry the babies of other teachers and keep them in our class when they fell asleep. She would ask us questions and make a promise to us, that who got it correctly would get a pack of fruit juice and doughnuts.
I remember how she would get us sweets and balloons during Christmas and help us decorate our classroom. She never appeared like one who had a problem or simply put, one who was barren.
Then I observed that there was a car that usually dropped her off at school and the same car would come to pick her after school. So, we believed then that she was rich, and though maybe the driver of the car was her driver.
There was a period we didn't see her in school for about a month, we were told by the principal that she went on sick leave, even if we didn't quite understand then, we prayed hoped, and wished she came back soon because we missed her already.
We missed her stories. We missed her kind gestures.
One month later, she returned, and I observed they she had gotten lean, not too long later that month, we heard rumors again that she had gotten pregnant but had a miscarriage, and that was the third time.
In my mind then, I couldn't fathom what it meant for someone to have a miscarriage. All I wanted and hoped for was for her to be back fully, she had this charisma that got everyone loving her.
A year later, we saw Aunty Onome with a big stomach, she was always resting and tired. The man that drove her to and fro school began to come more frequently.
We later got to know he was her husband and they had been married for eleven years, and that the nine years we heard was merely untrue.
I saw how the other teachers were happy for her. I saw that her smiles were different, she looked happier.
The baby in her belly wasn't another Abiku.
When she gave birth, a day was declared free for her students to go and celebrate with her.
When we got to her house, we asked the security guards where Aunty Onome lives, they told us we were at the right place, we didn't believe them.
Why would she be living in a castle? In a place that looked like a pristine chapel only benefiting kings and princes.
It turned out her husband was a highly placed man in the society who was very humble. Her welcome speech that day would reveal all we never knew about her and her husband.
We listened to her praise her husband.
His people had suggested to him to get a new wife after she couldn't bear children, but his husband said no. It got to a point when she even suggested that he got someone pregnant and he still said no.
The husband loved her to a fault. He had all the money in the world to live whatever kind of life he wanted, but he loved his wife and was patient with her.
It was then, I began to wonder if there were men like that still out there, he never cheated, and never changed in any way, she said there was a time she felt so loved that she got scared.
When the man came in from the inner chambers, carrying drinks and food, he didn't look like the man described, no, not looks, he was very handsome and would have any woman bowing and trembling at his feet.
To us, he didn't look like the man described as takes about according to societal standards.
We were wrong.
Aunty Onome told us that every time she smiled or exuded love and affection towards anyone that her husband was responsible.
He was supportive, loving, caring, faithful, loyal, and understanding, he didn't have to possess all that qualities, but he did.
Today I know.
There are still men out there.
Archetypal men.
Chivalry is still alive.
Image source https://pixabay.com/photos/heart-wedding-marriage-hands-529607/
Men are humans too, give them a break
One of the hardest things to be these days is a man. It is even scary being a man sometimes.
As a man, everyone expects you to be strong.
They expect you to repress emotions.
They say men expressing themselves makes them look weak.
People always talk about the downsides of women but expect the man to act manly and look or appear tough.
Sometimes men hide in the restroom, not because they want to fiddle with their phones but because they want to let their guards down and permit themselves to cry if possible.
And this happens because feelings are forbidden for men by all standards and this is causing problems in many unbelievable ways.
On International men's day, men couldn't bring themselves to even celebrated themselves.
The accolades poured on women on mother's day and international women's day cannot be placed side by side with that of men, yet men never complain, even though they may want to, they just don't want to be perceived as weak or desiring something irrelevant.
Popular opinion suggests men are in power are responsible for all the ills in the world.
This is not true, because men are just as hurt as women over the injustices in the world.
What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Why are men always assumed to be guilty in a rape case?
If a man does not do sports, he is looked at in a type of way that makes him uncomfortable, "you don't play ball?" Some people will ask rhetorically.
It was only recently in these parts that tailoring and making of women's dress started being accepted as a profession for men.
Sometimes men are made to apologize for being men, we have to apologise for men cheating, even when it wasn't us who cheated.
We have to apologise on behalf of thieving politicians even when it wasn't us who stole.
The idea that only women can suffer problems is wrong.
There’s hostility to men having problems.
Although women are understandably annoyed at some inequalities towards women, to put all men in the same box is wrong. This creates an environment where men will feel castigated if they suggest they have a problem.
May link with why so many men never speak out against their battles, against the likes of depression.
There is one thing common to people of every gender that society forgets.
That is humanity.
Like women, men have emotions and need support. Suicide is the biggest killer of young men around the world today, and there is a reason for that.
Toxic masculinity cultivates a negative environment for men and women.
How can a man be truly free in modern society when the notions regarding his gender are so predisposed towards hostile isolation of emotion?
Men pay for everything, everything.
Who gives men a lift?
Who offers to pay for a man's transport or flight ticket?
Men are supposed not to feel anything, they are supposed to hide under the rock of masculinity and act tough so as not to break.
In all of these, however, men don't complain still.
They walk the earth in silence, weak, lonelier and depressed, only the strong survive, but they are all supposed to be strong.
Image https://pixabay.com/photos/father-baby-portrait-infant-22194/
@Edystringz
