Are You Just A Boss (And Nothing More?)
Your subordinates oblige you only within the confines of your official capacity. They work with you just fine during work hours but not a second after. Unlike other bosses, you can't persuade them to take up optional extra hours to deliver your job. They don't pick up your calls on weekends. Sometimes they don't even bother to make up believable excuses, "We didn't have light sir, my phone went off after your first call" will be enough.
You notice they don't throw this attitude at other superiors who are your mates at work. It's mostly when you are concerned, or maybe only when you are involved.
Maybe you are just a boss, and nothing more.
You are not a Mentor, not a friend, not a confidant, not an inspiration, not a role model, not a teacher, not a benefactor. You are just a boss.
If you are going to need them to be more than just your subordinates, you will also have to be more than just a boss.
You can be more.
Can people really work for you, or do they only work with you because they have to?
If you want more, be more. Be a boss...and more.
Justice and Mercy
I love when consequences meet actions. While I love justice to be tempered with mercy, I am a firm believer in getting people sorted accordingly when they err. Big Brother did an amazing job disqualifying Erica. There is nothing to argue about here. She crossed so many lines last night, and as an adult, the only person you can control is yourself not others.
Like I always say whenever I watch these show, if you do not wake up by yourself, something will wake you up, whether you like it or not.
But the most interesting thing about Erica is not her current drama, but the life she has started building for herself before she came to the house. I am in awe of her life’s journey.
It is why I am not so bothered with her disqualification. She had a solid and firm thing outside and she is a star material. I am rooting for her. That kind of focus and tenacity is rare, sadly she derailed herself by herself. The quality and volume of work she has garnered from the past years shows she is such a hard worker. She is already flying, and she is just started.
For some reason, I want to see Prince or Dorathy win. They have always been on my radar from day 1, especially Prince. If I were emotionally vested enough in this show with my energy and resources, I would throw myself into voting and campaigning for either of them. If work permits me and my sugar babe comes through for me, I will send some votes their way. If not because it is not this N1k in my account that I will use to push them to the end.
That Same Mind
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians2:5
Our mindset about anything we do determine our success to a great extent. Thus, in order to make the most out of life, we must have the right mindset.
Today I bring you the revelation of the right mind that guarantee success in all things, irrespective of our situation, geographical location, language, academic qualifications or personality; it's the mind of Christ. It's a way of thinking that set one on high above principalities and powers. A mindset that ensures victory and liberty. A mindset that brings salvation and spiritual oneness with God. A mindset that destroys the slavery with self and launch man into the realm of grace.
It's the mindset, characterized by humility, selflessness and absolute submission to the will of God. This is the mind of Christ. The scripture records that Christ did not seek equality with God, though He would be right to do so. Have you let go of earthly reputation to serve God in humility? Have you disregarded your self in your service to the Master? What are the things in life that prevent you from total submission before God? Let go of it today. For in losing all for Christ, we gain all.
Let's pray together. Dear Father, thank you for showing us the right mindset. We surrender all to you today, please deliver us from every slavery with self, implant in us the mind of Christ, in Jesus name. Amen.
Share The Story of Your Journey
I still have to find a way to share my opinions here cos you know, our life and mind's wellbeing Matter.
So many people everyday get started on a journey to somewhere that's obviously not clear at first.
You know, something similar to when Abraham left his fathers house.
We only have a prototype of what Canaan looks like and most of the time are very clueless of what the journey looks like or demands.
If everyone is like me which is less likely, but a few begin to seek out maps and strategies to getting there
Some read autobiographies, some read company documentaries, some try to follow up influencers in their intended niche.
The idea is this so many people everyday are seeking for direction and it'd do much good if people documented their journey with the intention to hand it down to the next generation
I keep a journal and documenting my journey is part of what I do with it. It helps me look back and reflect.
Seeking out what principles apply to every stage in life is necessary
So I urge you to
Seek out strategies
Document yours too and
Share with others
The Travelling Wind
The wind journeys
On the back of a tired camel,
Traversing the Sahara
to the belly of the ocean
bringing painful ease as a squire.
Many hearts break
For this journey
is not welcomed.
What have you not done?
Heads no longer wear shades
For roofs are birds
Flying like picnic kites.
Farms unrepentantly raped
Harvesting sweats
Sown under heat and in rains
Without a token of appreciation.
From coast to coast,
nations whine,
Lamenting of your good deeds
that have left millions
stranded and naked.
Yet, your bowel never filled,
the thirst never assuaged.
Flee back to whence you came
For you've made
enemies of many.
A little of you
Is what we desired.
The Masterpiece
I Declared My Intentions,
I Announced My Ambitions,
I Programmed My Destinations,
I Echoed My Aspirations,
But They Mocked My Actions.
I Worked without Profanation,
I Crushed all Temptations,
I Had faith in My Inspirations,
I Focused on My Determinations,
But Left them in Misapprehension.
I Swayed the Nature's Order,
I Strived to Decipher,
Living Behind the Other,
Like Actions of the Former,
With no Evil Intent to Wonder.
But it wasn't Easy to Conquer.
Procrastination stood a Defiance,
Fear grasp with Temperance,
Putting me on a Dilemmatic Stance,
No! Never! I must take a Chance,
I said,
Awakening, I began Brooding over every Darkness with My Lance,
I Came out Rejuvenated, with a New Sash,
Striking out with no Pity every Hindrance.
Their Defeat was Inevitable,
My Lost became Avoidable,
My Glory, Commendable,
I Won, not by Strength Able,
But because He That Was Meant To Be had Chosen me as
THE REINCARNATION OF HIS LEGACIES.
Looking back at Those Years,
There's a reason to say Yes,
Though Life was cold like Ice,
But with perseverance, it became Nice
Though the Past was Sour,
Yet I devoured all odds of Heat,
Forever shall I continue to Soar,
As long as my Pure Heart Beats.
My Existence is a Testimony,
My Breath is God's love for me,
My Life is ordered by God's order,
My Name is the impact that will Live Forever,
I am the MASTERPIECE.
Walking In My Own Direction- Reflections from a personal story
**WALKING IN MY OWN DIRECTION- Reflections from a personal story**
A couple of years ago, a friend invited me to join a skill acquisition program which was to hold for just a day. On the D-day, we met with the lady who passed the information to inquire on how to get there and also confirm the address we were given.
Hours after my morning chores we were already on our way and in no time we got to the location, but we couldn't find the exact building and house number we were looking for.
So the search began, we moved around to ask people and passers by for the building which had a name and number but no one seemed to know.
It actually got worst, when we asked a lady who claimed she lived on the street and was aware of every nook and cranny but had never heard of the name and house number. This lady ended up giving directions to another street and like lost sheep that ignored their shepherd's voice, we began to wander.
An hour passed and we were still asking for directions, till I got frustrated coupled with the Saturday's smiling sun which seemed delighted to shine on us, I made up my mind to go back home.
But before I did, I asked my friend to phone the lady one more time, after I realized we were completely lost.
Long story short, after she was phoned, we were directed to come back to the place we left and this meant starting all over again.
This time around public opinions didn't matter. On getting there, I noticed a sagging cable that was hanging from a pole in a bad way, part of it rested on a very tall building and beside the cable was a large inscription of a house name and number.
At first I wanted to slap my self but I couldn't, though I was so angry at me for being so used to seeing things at a particular angle. I tapped my friend to it and she was like" so this is it, na wa o" and she walked in like we didn't just have an over - tan together.
She acted like nothing happened, meanwhile I was at the verge of imploding. But that's not the lesson here, though you might pick a thing or two that's gonna be different from what I learned.
I'm actually going to liken this to our walk with God and the holy spirit.
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Over the years, this event has kept me thinking.
What if this realization came after many years and what if it wasn't a day's journey?
Would I leave the path kept for me over public opinion?
At the end of this post, I want you to realize that the goal of life is to walk in God's direction and not yours.
At times, walking in our own directions could be a path of self destruction and without doubt, an obstacle in God's will and way.
So what happens when God promises a thing and it doesn't look like it?
**FAITH**
Most times, when God promises a thing and it doesn't look like it "yet". This is where our faith comes in.
Remember, without faith ,you can't please God. It is imperative that we know Faith speaks a different language when it comes to sight. The world says " seeing is believing" but faith says " believing is seeing".
J. Oswald Sander was right when he quoted " eyes that look are common, but eyes that see are rare".
These eyes that sees is the eye of faith.
Also, know that " Your life will shrink or expand in the proportion of your Faith"
Maintaining a life of unwavering Faith is very critical when it comes to our walk with God, we cannot afford the luxuries of being our own enemy, in other words "putting water in our own boats, when the storms of life will put enough"
**PATIENCE**
Recall the part I wanted to turn home even when I was where I was supposed to be. Funny right? But it showed impatience and an impatient man doesn't do much with God.
Impatience refines half polished gold or would you rather ask a blacksmith?
The saying of "patience is virtue" isn't just a cliché, its real.
Most of us have noticed that majority of the things we pray for /ask for keeps coming at the 11th hour, just when we are about to give up or loose hope- This is a mystery of patience, one I can't explain.
The walk of patience with God is like a training, Abraham was an icon of both attributes and we all know his story & how it ended.
And to many believers, praying sounds like a joke to us, though I can guarantee you that you won't know the power and essence of prayer till you've tasted from its cup.
Cultivating a life of prayer is a master key that literally opens every door. Though prayer may not change all things for you but it certainly changes you for all things.
Our daily prayer should be" God I want to be in your will and not in your way".
Forget public opinion, they don't matter.
You might ask questions like, can I walk on my path and still be on God's path?
Yes, you can. When you have accepted God's will and direction as yours, the path becomes one.
Walking in his automatically means walking in yours.
***What did you learn?***
What Will People Say About It?
***WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY ABOUT IT?***
I can't, I doubt I'll do it. I mean the suggestions are great and they fall in line with what I'm good at, but what do you think people will say about it? Ola said!
Wait, your kidding me right? Her friend Mimi asked standing from the chair she sat on. You mean the only thing that's keeping you from actualizing your dreams is some random public opinion? You have to be kidding me, she added.
No you won't understand, Ola tried to defend.
Girl? You have nothing to say, why don't you go ask the public if you should eat tomorrow as well, Mimi replied bitterly.
We've been through this several times, but at this moment I don't think I can keep up with your lame excuses. I'll go straight to Ben, he's as good as you are, expect to see our products selling in two months.
These were Mimi's last words before she walked out of her friend who was curled up in her bed.
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Hey reader, I'd love to tell another story and I'll try as much as possible to keep it short.
A long long time ago, A Mughal emperor from India lost his wife and out of love he decided to build her a memorial. It was a grand work and of course a grand idea.
It took 20,000 workers and 20 years to complete this project. Let's not forget he didn't care about some talking mouths in his hood, cause if he did? He certainly kept them talking for 20 sweet years .
And if public opinions were to matter to him as it is to some of us ? I guess we'd have just six wonders of the world because the Great Taj Mahal wouldn't be built.
So why bother about public opinion? Why is it the centre of your decision or the decisions you'll make.
I hope you know the same ideas you have now will be given to another if you don't work on it.
Letting "the public" affect your decisions is feeble minded and I'm not here to tell you you're stronger than you think. You'll say that by yourself.
Public opinions should be the least of your worries, I dunno how our broken society shaped our minds to such a shape.
You know what I think? Maybe most times you need to sit down with your self and have a real life conversation, it will atleast keep reality in check, so you stop kidding with your self.
Well? You can allow yourself to be paralyzed by the fear of rejection or you can go out there and astonish the world, the ball is in your court. But have it in mind that you can't make both decisions.
Rapist Alert
To those it may concerned, whether it's your sister, girlfriend, cousin, niece, aunty, mother or maybe even wife, rape is a terrible act.
Study has shown that 31.4 percent of girls said their first sexual encounter was some sort of rape or forced sex of some kind.
So guys, to avoid being a rapist, this are 10 rape prevention tips you should uphold.
1. Don't put drugs in women's drink.
2. When you see a woman alone, leave her alone.
3. If you pull over to help a woman whose car has broken down, remember not to rape her.
4. When in elevators with women, do not rape them.
5. When you find a woman asleep do not rape her.
6. Never creep into a woman's home through an unlocked door or window, or spring out at her from behind parked cars, or rape her.
7. Remember, people go to laundry rooms to do laundry. Do not rape women in laundry rooms.
8. Use the buddy system, if it is inconvenient for you to stop yourself from raping women, ask a trusted friend to accompany you at all times.
9. Carry a rape whistle, if you are about to rape someone blow it until someone stops you.
10. When asking a woman out on a date, tell her if you plan on raping her. If you don't communicate your intentions she may mistakenly feel safe.
Five Facts About Writing That You Didn't Know
**1. Writers are not angels.**
They don't fall when stars align and write out all unholiness.
They are humans just like you and I.
Their brains are made of blood and tissues too. The only difference is how much they read, learn, and never seizing to create words out of circumstances.
And yes, no one is perfect in writing even Dearest Shakespeare missed a dot or two.
Truth? Anyone can be a writer.
**2. Writing is for Everyone.**
What's an accountant if he or she can't make a well written audit report?
What makes a teacher without a good lesson note?
How does a Doctor make a prescription without Punctuation marks?
Every sector at a point in time may involve one writing skill or the other, so it's an indispensable skill.
Even your spouse desires a romantic poem/text once in a while.
**3. Writing Pays good money.**
If I emphasis more on this now, everyone on my list will become writers. Less money for me.
I'm not greedy so I'd list a few means to earn with your writing skill.
_Winning competitions.
_Writing for magazines and newspapers.
_Blogging and freelancing.
_Publishing good books.
Are you still dulling?
**4. Writing attracts connections.**
Over the years, I've met some persons who are well known on this space for their writing prowess. I tagged some of them. They've been of tremendous help to me and if not for my passion for what they do too, I would never have met them. Did I tell you writing attracts the opposite sex? And non writers envy writers?
Start first, you'd understand what I mean.
**5. You can learn Writing now.**
Attached to this post is the picture below and a link to a group.
A free writing training program for budding writers, aspiring writers and those who've never wielded a pen before.
Opportunities like this comes once in while, so grab your copy now.
Kindly drop your WhatsApp number or directly click on the link to register for the class.
I love you and this is the best giveaway I can give to you for now.
Immortal (II)
Ready the horses, I said to Gahji who stood by Mrs. Adams door starring at an ancient inscription.
Do you know what that is? He asked.
Do I need to? I replied coldly giving him a look that interpreted" get this horses moving".
He understood the look and he acted on it.
My father often told me a story of a star inscribed on wooden things to keep off spirits, the wood identified strength and if a part of it was cracked or eaten?
Whatever that was kept from entering a town or village would come in violently, He added.
OK what's your point I queried.
I think Mrs. A is trying to ward of something strong and dangerous.
There's no other reasonable explanation for that mark.
OK, I hear you, as a matter of....
Shhhhh....Gahji signaled pressing his forefinger to his lips.
Do you hear that? He asked pulling the horses leash to himself.
No I don't hear anything, I replied in anger.
Exactly, the woods is rather too quiet ma, he added.
No chirping from either birds or crickets.
When did quietness become an issue, I asked.
Shhhh...he signaled again.
Did you hear that?? He asked again
You know for a man your size, you hear a lot of things, now get me out of here. The night is almost falling on us.
Yes he does, an unfamiliar voice replied from behind.
I've heard so much of Gajhi dwarfs, I hear they devote their lives and don't just serve mortal masters.
Which only clarifies one thing to me, you're not mortal.
The feminine voice added.
Who are you? I asked
Why not come out of the dark, I added.
I will, since you asked nicely.
The feminine voice replied.
I'm something you're looking for, she added.
The vetala? I asked in mockery.
I can hear your thoughts too, she added.
So that makes you a god? I asked
No, it makes me greater than a god. She replied.
I hear the lady who summoned you today is trying to keep me off, she added. Swirling in the wind this time.
The tooth eared priestess?? I stammered.
I have a message for her, she added.
I heard your ears where pointed and.... I tried to speak out.
What's the message? Gahji cut me out
What you see, many mortals have not survived the sight, those who did never told the story, She said.
Why were you at the crystal grave 10years ago??she asked.
Few years after the reapers harvested souls from the disease breakout and the carrier's boat was empty??
I don't remember, I replied.
Oh you will, she said with a wry smile.
Immortal
I'm sorry I had to call you, Mrs. Adam said sobbing.
What is it? I asked. You don't exactly call me often, I added.
How do I tell him? He's going to come home any minute from now, she said breaking softly into a couch that was placed by her kitchen's entrance.
OK? Tell who what? I queried.
I've been blackmailed, she stood on her feet removing some invincible dust from her knee length gown.
Who blackmailed you and what did you do to be blackmailed? I questioned fixing my eyes on hers.
She turned to her maids who were tending to a pot of oyster leaves on fire and slowly all 6 of them walked out of the kitchen.
Mrs. Adams can you get a hold of yourself and tell me who blackmailed you? I said as I walked to the granbak mythical leaves that never burned in any fire, instead they bloomed when in contact with one.
Why do you have granbak leaves Mrs. Adams? I asked.
People only use this unless they are trying to keep the toothed ear priestess at arm's length.
Yes you're right she replied looking at me in a rather convincing way, I don't want her around. I believe she blackmailed me.
The toothed ear priestess blackmailed you? I busted to a laugh. 400 years of my existence I haven't come across any, they are myths and will always remain so.
You're a believed to be a myth but here you are, right in my kitchen. Although no one has ever heard your name, she added.
From what I've heard, the toothed ear priestess only attacks ladies who have been unfaithful to their husbands, are you guilty as charged? I asked.
Yes I am, It was a mistake. She began to sob and now I've been blackmailed by her. I don't know how she got to know about it, she whispered in a dramatic accent.
Well she isn't called the toothed ear priestess for nothing, I smiled.
I'm glad you find humor in our time, I heard you were cold and never mingled with humans about 100 years ago but now you walk in our midst.
I am what they say I am, I've been called a lot of things but I'm certain I wasn't called here to have a chat with you. You want me to confront the toothed ear priestess don't you? I asked
Can you do that for me?
No I can't do that for you, you mortals keep asking for the impossible. Talk to your husband tonight, that's all I can say. I replied in a cold tone.
I accidentally met the flame lady 200 years ago in a restaurant down town. I believed she was a myth too until she revealed what she was to me. I'll tell you more, if you'll listen but she wasn't paying much attention.
The flame lady and I had a bad confrontation, she thought I was human and I did likewise.
She is what you teach your kids in their history books, eyes of fire, hands as cold as death itself and a taming aura of submission.
Did she get to you? Mrs. Adams asked
She nearly but she left at edge of breaking me. Her last words were" you are fortunate, you are who you are".
Talk to your husband and the toothed ear priestess will let you be. I said comforting her.
How do you know this? She asked
We've all heard a lot about ourselves, its best we don't cross one another's path.
But I heard you helped the magic man of Notre dam when his wife had an affair too, she sobbed as she spoke.
Yes I did, but now I'm trying to live a normal life, I replied.
An immortal with a normal life? Such irony..... Though I know you missed that boat the day you were born. She said laughing.
And you will miss your marriage if you don't do as I say. Tell no one of me, the normal parting words I told every mortal I came across.
Does this mean you're leaving? She asked in a tender voice. You won't punish me as your legend says? She asked wearing a quizzical look.
Don't push it mortal, I said as I walked out of her kitchen.
To be continued......
#Fiction https://web.facebook.com/hashtag/fiction?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUnb9g0npswDJkUrYbLn2PxMqeBYyUL3MRE1Td-YmoFi5Pd2jDNxcb_3G1ezaH6QDAknfJ3enY14G9RLBwZE-gjpjF2mIovhzLS6lpX-60_oqprF3W0KIXA55LWiXRvC_Y&__tn__=*NK-R
Tell Me About Yourself (The All In One Interview Question)
In our diverse forms of career it is inevitable that you'll attend an interview sooner or later. Either you'll be interviewing or you'll be interviewed.
I'll share a personal story that pushed me to share this information here, I hope it helps you.
About a month ago, I had an appointment with a client I was supposed to work with. Since he wasn't in the same state with me, we decided to talk on phone at a set out time. The conversation was going smooth till he asked the question " Tell me about yourself " I knew and understood what this question meant but I wasn't sure on the right response to give.
To make this brief, I fumbled in a very remarkable way, that I had to put it in my prayers
Funnily enough, I knew i messed up but there was just no means of rectifying what I had done.
Now I'll go straight to the point, when you're asked the
" tell me about yourself" question, you should understand that your reply varies with who's asking. But in this post, I'll share how to answer this question from the interview's aspect.
***Tip 1: Do not talk about your personal life, family or village people***
Especially for interviews, no one is interested in your personal life choices, the past mistakes you've made or how you reached where you are as a human being.
That question actually means, tell me about your qualifications, your experiences and why you're the right person for what ever position your applying for. In a nutshell, the interviewers just want to know your professional background and not the former.
***Tip 2: Tell a story, like tell a professional work story. To stand out, your story needs to be compelling, engaging, clear and complete. Don't mix up things and complicate issues for yourself.***
By telling a story I mean giving a brief summary of your work history.
Describe the company you worked at, your title, years of experience and your main responsibilities at the company.
Describe your major accomplishments over time(ability to make profits, save time, etc...)
**N/B : Tip 1 must be in conjunction with tip 2**
***Tip 3: After talking about your experiences and achievements, tell your employer what you know about the role you're applying for.***
Example: I understand that for this position of xyz you're hiring for, you're looking for someone with xyz and for xyz reasons.
This is very important and most people ignore it believing it's not necessary to voice it out. But what this does psychological is that it tells your employer you're not only aware of your skills and achievements, but you're also aware of his/her needs as well and what they are looking for.
And when you say something as simple as acknowledging their needs, it's you telling them " I know what you want as well". This creates a link between you and your employer.
Final tip: (Blow your trumpet) Tell you're employer why your the right and perfect person for that position. This is the icing on the cake with cherries on top
This is the one thing most people don't bother to say when answering this question. It's the point you brain wash them and softly persuade them to see from your eye. Most employers ask this question and most don't, I've been asked several times. Either way, be always prepared for it.
It is solely your responsibility to tell your employer why you're the one for the job, if not, all your answers are going to end on a flat note and possibly sound like everybody else's answer.
Most importantly, your résumé must be congruent with all you have said about your qualifications.
Though you may not even make it to an interview without an attractive résumé.
If you have an experience on this topic, please gladly share on the comment section.
***I hope you got value.***
Pioneer Hustler or Secondary Hustler?
PIONEER HUSTLER OR SECONDARY HUSTLER?
The moment you see this, the headline should get you thinking hard and fast.
In my own definition " PIONEER HUSTLERS are hustlers who are the beginner runners on their race to success".
In most cases, they must have had runners before them that started the race but didn't yield the desired results and in the quest to achieve more than the previous runners, they have to start the race all over from the scratch. Learning new techniques and debunking some success myths that held the previous runners down.
SECONDARY HUSTLERS: As the name connotes " secondary ". This indicates that they were pioneer hustlers before them who yielded great results, and in the bid to continue riding on the success train, they keep running or they hire someone to run for them.( Yes, they are that successful). I won't mention names in this category but I'm certain you can come up with a list of people here.
Though most of them still act and hustle like pioneer hustlers.
If at all you want to succeed in today's world, you need to identify the category of hustlers you fall under, failure to figure this out early leads to relented efforts which might not yield the desired results you want.
I'm a pioneer hustler and I'll be emphasizing more on that category.
ATTRIBUTES OF PIONEER HUSTLERS:
*√ They wake up by 5am everyday and they understand that sleeping is for the wealthy. Besides, they didn't come to earth to sleep and they can sleep all they want when they are dead.*
*√ They create opportunities from every challenge they are faced with.*
*√ They are voracious readers and they live off the pages of books that can transform every aspect of their live.*
*√ They strive for relevance at all cost because they have seen & understand that the world has no place for irrelevant people.(Ignorance)*
*√ They understand that their struggle is different and they cannot afford to lazy around or sleep for more than 5 hours at night.*
*√ They don't care and have absolute no business with what people will say to/about them.*
*√ They can never watch 5 movies in a day ( never, I'll shake this table soon), they understand that they can get all the entertainment they want when all their goals are achieved and crossed off the vision board or dream book.*
*√ They write out all their goals and find ways of actualizing them.*
*√ They are ready and willing to make a lot of sacrifices to attain the height they want.*
*√They understand the world will not see them, unless they show themselves to the world.*
*√ Their pains doesn't lead to depression, instead they convert their pain to the fuel that accelerates them to success*
*√ They don't measure their beginner or start up pace with secondary hustlers. (They are familiar with the stages of growth)*
*√ They walk around with a success mindset*
*√They understand that luck = Preparation + opportunity, hence you can't be luck if you're not prepared at all times.*
*√ They understand that time is money and every time wasted on irrelevant discussions and association is a debit to their bank account.*
*√ They are the ones that are very strategic and intentional about their associations and circles.( Rich mentality only)*
You will know a typical pioneer hustler when you see one. They are never dullards and most importantly, they know that in the bid to attain success, they cannot and will not do it without God and that's why the put God first and hustle behind.
My advice: Do not live, eat, think or act like a secondary hustler when you're nothing close.
This write up is a wake up call to every pioneer hustler in rest. There are a thousand & one things to do, if you're truly intentional about your success.
Remember, success isn't magic, it doesn't just happen
Let's all get up and work, the world is not waiting for us, she has her own agenda and that agenda is to work with the people that are fit to be worked with.
Which HUSTLER are you?
What's Your Excuse For Not Writing?
Lately I've gotten a lot of questions pertaining to writing and how to master its art, and one of the most asked question is " How do I stand my ground even after getting negative feedbacks or how do I build my self confidence in writing?".
Funnily enough, most people don't even know that to become a great writer you must work on yourself confidence first.
This is because, in the absence of a strong self confidence, you're likely to fold up your writing career before you even begin.
Poor self confidence says " How do you expect your audience to read what you've written when you can't even read your own work? "
And when you constantly listen to this discouraging inner critic, trust me you won't do a lot.
While having a strong self confidence reminds you of your worth and work, and how great you're going to become if you keep practicing, a low/ poor self confidence doesn't even let you paint a mind picture.
What Do I Do To Build My Self Confidence?
Especially for beginner writers, it is imperative that you keep practicing even when you don't feel like it.
Write everyday if you must, literally everyday.
Send your works out to friends and family and request for their honest feedbacks. Feedbacks shed light on your area of improvement.
Read widely, when you begin to read about anything and everything that adds positive impact to your mind and writing prowess, as unbelievable as it sounds, reading widely will boost your confidence in a remarkable way.
As a result of this, you'll realize that you'll no longer struggle for words or struggle with an idea block.
Lastly, overcome laziness and procrastination. I know some people are on this table but I won't shake it today.
Remember that no body has ever done anything by always putting off today's work for tomorrow.
Procrastination doesn't only rob you of time, it robs you of opportunities as well.
Get to work!
The Importance of Planning
Last week I stumbled upon a very captivating quote on this space and it read " An idiot who plans is better than a genius who doesn't plan".
The quote above may not make sense to you but to me it makes perfect sense.
If you're smart and good at deductions, you'll deduct from that quote that its main idea there isn't your in title I.e. either being an idiot or a genius, the main thing is in planning.
Most times I engage in conversations with friends and strangers and along the line, I realize, life just happens to them and they have no issue with that.
You may want to doubt me, but they are people out there who are so carefree about their lives and anything that concerns them.
Ask 8 people out of ten(10) of their plans for the next five(5) years, you'd be amazed at how clueless they are.
OK if five years sounds out of the league, ask for the remaining months of the year and again you'll be perplexed.
Every Sunday I make sure i insist on the essence of "planning your week" to my book club members and they know when it comes to planning, I'm intentional about it.
There's a set of rules I use, I'll share one now and share the rest next week Monday.
• The Sunday planner(my personal title)
This is when you take out about one or two hours on a Sunday evening to map out a plan for the new week.
You can even break them down to daily goals and if the goals are not achieved that day, they become a priority for the next day.
Let's say you wrote out 10 things to do on Monday but you were able to achieve just 7. Now, the remaining 3 things you were unable to do the previous day stays on top of the list for Tuesday's activities.
Some people don't even see the importance and necessity of planning, hence they do not do it.
Do you actually think that the heights great men reached was as a result of not planning for their lives and future?
Or you think our world shakers today just got up from bed to meet a crew of paparazzi waiting outside to interview them?
No! No! No!
This cannot be so.
And it is no longer a controversial matter that anyone who doesn't plan his days or months is a chronic time waster.
You don't even get to know about time management when you have no idea about the value of time.
Just so you know, one unplanned day leads to an unplanned week, an unplanned week to an unplanned month and an unplanned month to an unplanned year.
Like my friend will say, ***"when you begin to do things excellently, you'll draw excellent people and birth excellent results".***
I'll love to add that, the beginning of that excellency starts with excellent planning.
You have a vision for the next 3 years? Start planning now.
Make maps!
Plan! Plan! Plan!
Don't belong in the category of people that " live just happens" to.
Be intentional in all your dealings and in planning as well.
Have an amazing well planned week.
***I hope you got value.***
What Do You Think Of Follow Up?
Earlier today I asked a friend of what she thought about follow up and her response was "I'm not game".
I couldn't help but laugh my heart out, why?
Because I know what follow up can do.
For start up businesses or establishments, follow up is hard work and it is something that cannot be trivialized.
I remember when I worked with an organization earlier this year and the follow up I had to do was massive, we'd place more than 50 calls in a day and the results was so evident, the people we had not called in a while had forgotten about us.
If you're a start up business or anything and you're not game when it comes to follow up, then you should kindly save yourself the stress of starting up in the first place, because majority of the clients and customers that will become permanent are those you're likely to get from following them up.
I'm not saying chase people, I'm saying remind your potential customers or clients if they asked you to get back to them or they promised to get back to you.
Like it or not, most of the results you want is tied to how much follow up you do, though it can be draining at times and most times it can be fruitful.
If you're endowed with common sense, you'll know when to stop follow up too... Yes, there are situations you should be discerning enough to end it for a particular person.
I remember a particular client I had been following up for a while now, men! it was a long one but it paid well at the end.
Most of us believe that clients will always remember you or your business, the truth is a lot of them won't.
People have a lot of things to think about and the chances of neglecting a follow up because you'll be remembered is a very slim one.
If you truly want to get all you desire in your business or establishment, pay more attention to follow up, it is where the money lies.
I hope you got value?
Offers Inherent In The New Life(The Utmost Truth)
Disappointment and frustration arrays on people's faces, because after saying "the sinners prayers", the standard of their lives did not supernaturally change.
The clergy promised them bread and butter, comfy bed with sweet scenting roses; a luxury kind of living.
Their faces failed after tarrying for long, and many of these expected things weren't still their possession.
They failed to understand, that most of the things they expect, they have a part to bring it into bearing!
******
Some offers inherent in the new life.
*GOD'S LOVE!
*This is inevitable! Once you accept our Lord Jesus as your lord and savior. You will automatically, experience this love.
*PEACE!
God's all surpassing peace becomes your experience even in the midst of turbulent storm.
* SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING!
Through His grace and your quest for knowledge, His spirit brings to your eyes, higher knowledge.
You begin to see things from God's standpoint. Knowing that the unseen births the seen. Irrespective of efforts.
PROSPERITY!
This is the point many question God to be unfaithful!
They forget that God blesses the works of their hands, and not perform magic. Also, that there are principles to follow heartily!
PERSECUTION/TRIALS!
This is the hard truth they were never told.
Persecution is one of the most important benefit for following Christ and it must come.
Count it all joy when men persecute you, for His name sake. there's a reward.
DEATH!
For to live is Christ, and to die is gain. It's one of the privilege of the inner life. That for the sake of Christ, you laid your life.
Yes, we are not disadvantage. we are a royal priesthood, and holy nation, Gods own people; Living to see that the purposes of God come to be in our generation.
That the earth be filled with the glory of God like the water covers the sea. And we do this, even if it cost our life.
Spiritual Meal Today
Okay lovelies...today's meal is really very rich..my boyfriend Hossie, really took his time to prepare today's food and guess what?....He made some for you too...
The content of today's meal is
Acts 15:2-3, 9-10, 21-22, 26 and 28.
So let me start serving it, bring your plate...
Vs 2-3...
In an attempt to preach the gospel to all men as commander, be rest assured that not everybody will accept it with arms wide open, get ready for opposition that is why you should have the Spirit of God so at every time you can receive instructions from Him. Your focus on the long run should be "making impact".
Vs 9-10..
When your faith meets power, it begets solution. Faith attracts Miracles. The crippled man at the gate without saying a word received his healing because he chose to believe and be deliberately positive about his situation.
Vs 21-22...
The disciples never forgot their brethren all over the world. They understood the need for follow-up. Listen and listen well, no matter how big and full of the spirit one is, we still need other people with like minds in our lives these days they're called(accountability partners) because one way or the other we may need to want to talk to someone, that's one of the reason, we were created in pairs and we have leaders in the body of Christ.
Vs 26...
They also never forgot their starting point, they had to go back there at a point. No matter how far you go in ministry, never forget your source and starting point it is important that you keep in touch.
Vs 28...
This is an amazing part, that inspire of all their accomplishments, they still seemed it fit to fellowship with their brethren there in this verse I saw humility that they saw fit to rub minds with people who might not have traveled as far as they did. This is a very important tool in ministry.
My prayer today is the strength to 'do as God would' here on earth in Jesus name...Amen...
Good morning world...
The Real Deal (Episode 25)
My first fellowship at NIFES was amazing and I was more than determined to keep it permanent there .Yes I did...
After that day, I really couldn't take my mind off the words Akwa spoke to me that day, it felt like he had known me forever and could see through me like I was transparent(I began to take my mind back to that day, 'did I wear anything transparent?'..no I don't think, I replied as I shrugged my shoulders alongside the thoughts). Maybe he has a prophetic ministry or he saw through my eyes..."please lemme not start racking my brain now, whatever it is, I'll find out when I talk to him" I sighed loudly as I consoled myself. 'Rest was all I needed right now and not worry', I thought as I lay on the bed waiting for sleep to rock me to rest.
"Hi Pearl" Dinma greeted walking into the room. 'Chaiii...that means no sleep for me this afternoon', I lamented as I remembered that Dinma was a whole community when it came to disturbance and noise making. "Dinma I thought you're not supposed to be back till evening?" I queried. "Shuo...you dey vex say I come back?" She fired in pidgin chewing the gum in her mouth in an annoying manner. "Oh...God" I said as I lay back covering my head with a pillow, determined to sleep. It was when I heard more noises and footsteps on the hallway, then our door opening as the noise and laughter increased that was when I realized that my village people had arrived and I had to go pick them up at the park..."Pearl you're done for, no sleep for you" I alerted my self as I got out of the bed. "You nor sleep again" Dinma teased. "I rather go and sleep in the middle of Onitsha market" I said as she laughed hysterically trailing behind me like ant to sugar as went to the sitting room. "Ehen, Pearl, Brother Akwa asked to see you this evening in school" May said. "Ok, I'll go see him" I replied as I headed back to the bathroom(no time to waste, this was what I have been waiting for).
While I moved I heard Janet whisper to the girls, "Archie is terribly sick, and i just got informed, I was hoping we would go see him"
"Ok" May said we'll go see him tomorrow when Pearl is free so we'll have to ask her if she is interested in coming too.
"Thanks girls" Janet said as I could feel her smile.
'Definitely I'll go, i need to complete the healing process' I thought to myself as I hurried off.
***********************************************
"Pearl seriously na, don't use our stomach to play, there's hunger ooo" Dinma pleaded. "Hunger kwa?!" I exclaimed. "Is it not food you people just finished eating? "I queried. "Ah, ah Pearl" Nonso started as I turned my attention to her, "That one is appetizer na" she concluded as Goodness took over the speech "So if we sleep like that don't you know that the night would be longer than usual?, its too early na to say we won't be eating again" she concluded winking at me.
All these while May was silent, so I turned to her and asked, "What's your say on this issue" I asked(she always gat my back, she was gonna support me and her say would be final). "Baby, am hungry too, but don't worry I will stay with you in the kitchen because of our baby ooo" she said smiling. That was all my defeat needed to be complete as the rest of them burst out laughing and I had to join them too....(May had just fallen my hand and she did it codedly). In that same spirit, they all came and dragged me into the kitchen. 'These girls' i thought. "I just hope this baby doesn't grow up to all of you in one" I said as we all laughed. "She'll join us and worry the hell out of you" Janet said as the laughter intensified.
"You're not serious ooh" I commented trying to control the growth of the laughter.
Just then my phone rang, guess who..Jide. 'What was it again, I thought he only just left here?' I thought. There was only one way to find out so I ventured into it. "Hi pretty" he called out as I smiled.
"Hi what's up, did you forget something?" I asked trying to hide my excitement. "Yes, I have a favor to ask of you girls, please put the phone on speaker" he said as I obeyed signalling the girls to listen.
"Hi girls, please I forgot to ask, my best friend and colleague has his birthday today, I intend throwing a surprise party for him and I'd love for you girls to be in attendance" he said as we stared at each other at the other end. "You know it's late already?" I asked and said at the same time, "was just about fixing dinner" I continued. "Don't worry, dinner is on me tonight and I'll come pick you and drop you off before 9:30pm, I promise" he said again.
"Okay" May said. "We'll be done getting ready in 20 minutes" she concluded. "I'll be there" Jide said as the line went dead. "Are you serious?" I asked May. "Oh, you can stay back and cook, we'll still have space to put it" she said. "Jide is our friend, let's honor him okay?" she ended. "Ok, we all said as we hurried off to get dressed.
In twenty minutes, Jide was around, so we all went out towards the car. "Wow, you girls look ravishing" he said as he scanned through the others and rested his gaze at me.
"Thanks Jide" we all replied as we got in the car and it zoomed off.
*AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY*
When we got to the party, everything looked so beautiful with a beautiful writeup where a beautiful photo laid,it read:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY THERAPIST AYODEJI"
Then I realized that he was the same doctor that handled my therapy and I was glad I could pay him back for being so nice to me.
When he came in there were screams of happy birthday everywhere and this guy was shockingly in tears. I couldn't help but laugh, "see this guy wey dey form tough guy during sessions" I thought as I smiled broadly. Jide was the organizer of the party so I didn't really get to see him in camera but I wasn't bored cos Ayo came up to talk to me.
The party ran smoothly and came to an end in less than two hours and Jide took us home as promised. It was a beautiful night and that was how I escaped cooking...IS GOD NOT WONDERFUL
The Real Deal (Episode 24)
Well, after my 'twin big sister' spoke to me after the service, he had his turn and started by asking me a particular question...'How is life?'
Whoa, I knew I expected weird questions given his weird but cute smile and looks(lol)....but this was deep, deeper than the combination of the depth of the rivers Pison, Gihon,Tigris and Euphrates.
So I just looked at him while my heart answered the questions within me. 'Hmmmm, life I dunno but one thing I know is that mine has not been very pleasant. Its been more of a horror movie than a home video....' While my heart was still giving me the answers he drew my attention back to reality.
"The girl" he called out sarcastically (funny thing is he always had a smile on his face no matter how serious the issues he was handling) I used to think of was hopelessly weird till I discovered that his smile was his cuteness charm and he had some killer dimples (no wonder).
"I know I may sound kinda weird with my questions and everything but we'll talk, we really need to sit and talk and I pray God for enough time to do so but for now you're welcome to the NIFES family, no matter how life treats you, we love you and would stand for you' he said smiling as Janet came and placed a blindfold on him from the back. "Only one person can do this and that's 'baby'", he said referring to Janet as she took off the blindfold and smiled childishly(Hmmmmmmm, I thought 'this is so unlike Janet as she likes acting mature at all times but seeing her now, she was a complete baby'...hmmmmm, I'll take care of that later),I concluded as I turned my attention back to them.
When I turned my concentration towards them, I had lost track of their conversation and just heard as he asked about May and the other girls who were in a meeting.
"So, 'the girl', we have your details and we'll contact you, but I will personally" he said as he swiftly turned his attention to me and then back to Janet as he walked away with her. "See you" Janet whispered as they walked away. "Wow, Janet left me cos of a man" I just nodded and smiled. As I stayed back. I decided to check the library(book stand) as was announces during the service to see what I can find. As I ran my fingers through the books there came a voice. "Yes, how can we help you?" I looked up and saw a beautiful lady, who was modestly dressed and adorned smiling at me('hmm, this fellowship has cute people' i thought).
My name is Melinda and am at your service('Hmmmmmmm, she's too')...I thought and smiled obviously.
"I am Peace and I am new here, just checking it out" I said with a shrug.
"Oh wow, you're welcome Peace, then I'll give you a treat" she said as she brought out the NIFES daily devotional and handed it over to me. I was about to talk when she said "shhhhh, you don't have to pay, it's a treat from me to you, welcome to NIFES' she said winking as I returned the smile as she continued with her business of packing up the books.
Just then my friends came, it was time to give home, I just wish the fun would never end...
'Oh NIFES, oh NIFES....' I kept humming all the way home.
Few minutes later she arrived with two packs of pizza and Hollandia yoghurt(yes we like enjoyment). Just as she arrived, Nonso, Dinma, Goodness and Janet also sprouted from nowhere as 'weeds' on a farm.
Mehn this was going to be a fight and I was ready for it, you know why?..cos am a fight and am a liquid pizza, remember the last pizza fight...you ain't see nothing yet('Chai but my crush was seated there, toh, who crush help sef?'...). 'Prepare for battle' i commanded the forces of my stomach as I surged forward to conquer and claim. But it seemed like this time, my opponent knew my strategy and suggested a peaceful treaty and I couldn't say no to it(cos am not a war ooooo)...
It was the most amazing indoor sit out we had in a while as we ate peacefully, drank and chatted away into the evening.
We didn't even know it was dark until JIDE looked at his watch and let out a soft scream(that swept me to my feet). "Ouch, it's past six and I have a night shift" he excused. "Ohhh, didn't know it had gotten so late" I remarked non challantly.
"Yea, so I had a nice time with you girls, hope we do this again some other time?" he said with a low thumbs up.
"Sure" May remarked. "And thanks for spending time with us" said Goodness in appreciation.
"Thank you too" he replied with his cute smile that tumbled the butterflies in my stomach (it now seemed to me that I was pregnant with butterflies cos they were all I could feel..lol).
"Bye Pearl, be good and keep that little baby safe" he smiled and pointed at my stomach reminding me I was pregnant with a baby not butterflies...hahahaha.
"Alright, see you some other time" Nonso said..."Bye" Dinma and Janet chorused as Jide walked down the stairs, got into his car and zoomed off.
*BACK IN THE HOUSE*
"What is it?" I asked as I noticed their gaze on me.
"You like him, don't you?" Goodness teased. "You're joking right?" I laughed. "Oh, she likes him"Janet said smiling as if she just saw Zlatan(if you talk, I'll knock your small head). "What is it na?" May said in my defense as they all burst out laughing.
"Oh, you girls want to tease me ba?, no dinner tonight" I said getting the game back on my side.
"Oh no" they all screamed and they ran after me....hahahaha. That was just the way to get them, all these my friends wey like food pass book( come beat me na)
I GUESS I STILL AM THE BOSS!!
Bible Study Today
As Acts 12 recorded...I drew lessons from verses 6-9.
The surety of men is unsure and to God is baseless. Heroes was sure that he was going to kill Peter definitely after being tried and found guilty for preaching the gospel. After he had humanity bound him with the strongest chains he thought nothing could give away. But there God saw it fit to confirm the gospel... You know, you wonder why you feel you do all it entails to be a Christian but it only drives you to more pain....why don't you hold on?.. He's making ways for you...God is not responsible for putting us in bad situations but He makes good out of it.
Lastly on this verse..it was recorded that even though Peter doubted and thought it was a dream, he still followed. Are you in doubt that there's really light at the end of the tunnel, why not keep following, you'll realize someday that it's really real...
Verses 21-24
Remember what we studied earlier about making God the center of our attraction, Heroes defaulted and was rewarded according... Your wisdom, Knowledge, beauty, and everything that makes you to be you is an endowment from God and should be acknowledged.....always make God the center of commendation and worship.....
The Real Deal (Episode 23)
Have you ever heard of the drunken Masters before?, watch wherever you see my friends gather then you'll understand. We stayed in that room for close to five hours, mehn....it was even 'Father' (as my friends fondly called him),who intervened. I guess he stayed at the door for quite some time as he was there to remind us that it was time for fellowship. This is where my journey with the most outstanding fellowship on campus 'NIFES' started.
If I was going to take my life seriously, I knew I needed more than a body, I needed a family and I couldn't think of any other than where my friends belong to.
"Father good evening" May and Janet greeted.
"Bro. Akwa good evening" Goodness, Nonso and Chidinma greeted.
"Good evening sir" I greeted shyly cos of how he looked at me('maybe he saw through me and noticed the pregnancy' i panicked).
"The girls good evening" he answered smiling sheepishly.
"You people are doing well, oya come and continue in fellowship, it's time" he said as he turned to leave. "Oh God, we lost track of time" May sighed as well all laughed at the way she was trying to hurriedly put on her skirt and ripped it in the process.
When u got to the place of fellowship that day, I was ushered in by one 'Success'.. She looked like a free spirited person to me because all she got were the smiles on her face and an ever running mouth('is she always like that or was it because I am new' I thought). But then it did not really matter to me...I just loved her personality.
Everything was awesome there, from the opening prayer to their family song..it was beautiful. After the service I had to meet with the committee in charge of new members, that was where I met one Precious (whom everybody thought was my lookalike) and the guy named 'Akwa' whom my friends addressed as 'father'. This time again, his gaze pierced into my soul digging into my very existence and stealing my secret. Who exactly is this guy again???
I decided to find out......
As our heads automatically became magnetic and drew closer in a quiet manner all that was in my head were just the nectar of the exploded butterflies in my stomach which took the place of blood flowing to my brain...love, love, love...this was the song in my head.
You know when the Bible said that God(Hossie) is jealous and doesn't like sharing. I thought it was play till Hossie sent May to disrupt the magnetic force that was making way for the attraction..
"Mm mm mm" she cleared her throat(that was not cracked).
"Ermmm, I just wanted to know if you guys cared for some pizza as I was going to order one" she asked trying to drain the awkwardness in the atmosphere.
"Oh sure" I said as I adjusted myself properly on the seat. "Yes please" Jide said putting up a smiling face.
As she turned to leave I saw sadness and disappointment written all over her face and I excuse myself from Jide's presence and went after May.
"May, May" I called out. "Please let's talk about this" I demanded. "Talk about what?", she stopped and snapped out of her calm. "That you still want to go through that road of pain again?" She shot.
"But I have feelings for him, and he's a good person" I defended.
"Pearl, feelings are not enough, the only person you can trust now is Sweetness" she said calmly as i sunk into my shell.
"Hey, I didn't say you can't be friends with him, but just be careful" she said holding my shoulders.
"OK" I nodded as she drew me into her embrace. "Now you go back to the sitting room, I'll join you soon" she said as she walked away to get the pizza from the delivery guy who was already at the gate.
"Pizza time" she came in shortly announcing as Nonso, Goodness, Chidinma and Janet sprouted from nowhere like 'weed'. It was going to be a good fight and I was ready for it you know why..."cos am the liquid pizza".
The Real Deal (Episode 22)
I couldn't bring myself to ask why they were laughing, I could only imagine why as my imagination ran wild immediately(as it is common with the melancholic temperament). Am sure they read the confused look on my face and the laughter stopped abruptly.
"Sorry pearl" Dinma apologized on their behalf. "Yes we are mad at you but its OK" Nonso said still laughing. "You didn't think you could sneak up on us just like that, right?" May said. "Don't mind her, she is just naive" Goodness spoke this time.
"I don't understand, what are you girls trying to say?" I asked more confused than I ever was.
This time, Janet spoke. "What they've been trying to say is that, we've been aware all these time but kept quiet about it cos we knew how you felt after Jide and all we always wanted is for you to be happy", "And since 'Hossie' was doing that we couldn't help but not put pressure on you though we knew this day would come and we waited patiently for it" she concluded with a big laugh.
"You've got to be kidding me" I screamed this time excited as I took Janet in a teddy bear hug and the other girls joined us.
"Thanks girls" I whispered in tears.
"We've got you baby" Goodness said hugging me tighter than everyone else.
Whilst in the midst I thought about so many but most importantly I agree less with my inner me that my friends are angels and that dialogue is everything...I mean everything. And just in that atmosphere of love the room was enveloped in Hossie's presence as we all burst out in songs in his language. In two minutes, my friends were drowned already.
'This is going to last a while you know' i thought as I drowned also.
The issue with my parents is one I have been able to get over a little(not without stress though). I am sure she was trying to imagine how we were going to go over it again. There was only one option(to help keep my reactions down a little),right there and then she called Sweetness and while we waited for his arrival, she began telling me about my parents. Her words dropped like like tiny pins on my 'soft tissued' heart but Sweetness was there and felt 'not extremely bad'. After all..i wasn't planning on running to them with open hands announcing the pregnancy so I just had to look for a way to fix things up when it would be time to(as Janet assured me that the time to, will surely come).
Janet's baby(Peace) was almost three years old now. 'Wow, that means that this happened in our first year at school' I did the maths in my head. Now she was well over it and according to her 'Somehow, I don't regret keeping her'. But that's her own story, 'what would be mine?'(I could only imagine).
In the next few minutes(or so I thought), I was so lost in thought that u didn't even notice Jide walking into the room till he tapped me some minutes later after watching me for a while.
"Hi, good evening" I greeted as he jerked me out of my wonder land.
"Good evening,seems like you took a quick stroll to space, welcome back" he replied smiling.
"I am sorry" I apologized, "Hope you have not been here for too long?" I asked embarrassed.
"Oh not really, just some eighteen minutes" he answered.
"Oh" I exclaimed. "Not so bad" he assured. "So what means of transportation took you to oblivion?" He asked jokingly serious, "I thought we had the talk and agreement about inter mood travels especially for now?" He asked this time seriously joking.
"I know but I didn't plan for it and by the way, it's not easy. ....."I was still saying when he cut me off.
"Shhhhhh....that's why you have your friends, they told me you've been lost and on your own hours before I came in, you've got to let them in on what's going on. Don't make them feel useless, please" he said pleadingly. "Even if you can't and don't want to talk to them, I am here, I am available for you" he said taking my hand in his and looking straight into my eyes.
'What in the world was he trying to do?' I could only ask myself by myself. But this moment I wasn't ready to let go as cold chills den down my spine...Yes, it was the butterflies I reared in my stomach for Jide, their cage had been broken by that single act and it was impossible to get them together at once, they fluttered around freely in my stomach as Jide drew his lips close to mine in a slow, steady and orderly manner(what was about to happen, I couldn't tell but what I knew was that I was about to cheat on Sweetness).
When A Poet Becomes Mad
If a poet becomes mad,
He will run off into the rain forest,
And make for himself a tree house.
He will make carpets of the lilly
And tables of the hills.
He will WHEN scare the mimosa with a touch,
And make swings of the insistent epiphyte.
He would sniff the forest flowers,
And dance with the forest spirits.
He would imitate the butterflies,
Sing along with the night owl.
He would graze with the hart, due to her calmness,
And walk naked when it drizzles, take cuddles from the coldness.
The Real Deal (Episode 21)
I wanted to act strong but my emotions gave me away. As they all came closer and surrounded me I perceived a sweet aura of true love streaming from, it was time to reciprocate by doing the right thing.
"Pearl" Nonso said holding my hand, "it's OK, whatever it is we can handle it and we'll be fine, right?" She continued as she sought consent from the other girls. Without a word, they all nodded in agreement(I guess that was all I needed to go on.
"First of all, I have a confession to make about Hossie" I said trembling. "What about him?, did he hurt you?" Goodness asked with overwhelming concern.
"No, no, no, he didn't" I started. "It's just that I had lied to you girls about his personality" I paused as I started into their eyes sequentially as i allowed the first statement sink. "The truth is that Hossie is not who you guys think he is, he actually is our friend Sweetness but now I call him Hossie" I stopped as I expected the worst.
When there was no response, I decided to explain further. "I know I hurt him by leaving completely and running after Jide, I know I found it difficult to submit to him but my encounter with him in the dimension of an instructor changed everything and its time to take him serious from now on, that's why I need your support and blessings" I explained. At this point they kept sad and long faces so I didn't stop talking "am sorry girls please, I didn't want you girls to know about the trauma i went through when Jide left and he was the only person apart from you girls who I knew could help me also, that's why I called him...." I was still saying when the frown on their faces transformers into a smile, a wide grin and then an uproarious laughter. This actually got me perplexed as I kept looking at them unable to hide my surprise.
"Did I say something funny or was I sounding foolish?"
Yes, Janet had gone through this before as she narrated her ordeal, I couldn't help but wonder(no wonder the first impression I had of her was 'runs girl' according to my judgment). 'But why was she still so skin' my heart questioned sarcastically. She told me how she fell 'head over heels' in 'lust' with this guy named Gabriel. No sooner had she gotten pregnant for him did she realize that all he wanted was a glimpse of the glory between her legs. She told me how she was treated badly by her brother Archie and how disappointed her parents were but the most important thing was that she survived and that gratitude she owed to the other girls who helped her back to her feet till she got the baby(Peace)....the amazing part of it was that her parents who disowned her accepted her back and are now helping her nurse the baby so that she can graduate.
It was when she talked about her parents it occurred to me that I should have parents too what I was not sure of is how thru were going to take the news cos I didn't really remember anything concerning them and so decided to ask Janet.
"Hey, you guys told me a lot of things but none about my parents, why?" I asked. As much as she tried to control her actions and emotions, I could still read the fear behind her eyes as she visible frozen. What was not clear was the reason why but I was more than determined to find out.
The Real Deal (Episode 20)
I tried resting my head but I couldn't cos I kept thinking about everything that happened and my mind couldn't help but drift towards my friends and the fact that sooner or later they were going to find out about everything and I might lose them if they didn't take it lightly cos if a truth I had hurt them with some lies and hideous acts. My eyes caught Nonso's gaze which read 'I don't believe you', but I quickly looked away, I just couldn't bring myself to say what exactly happened. My head was calculating how I could open up to them without hurting them(It seemed almost impossible as the heist).
Seriously I knew I had to tell them if not Hossie was going to do it himself (as he knew them also).
With that confusion and overwhelming thoughts I decided to do what I had to do.
"Girls?" I called out as they stopped all their activities and turned to me.
"There's something you need to know but first I must apologize in advance because I have hurt you all greatly and I am deeply sorry" I said as tears filed my eyes.
Everything was going on well with Sweetness, I enjoyed his company and comfort of his voice, arms and warm embrace. This lasted until I began to rear butterflies in my tummy for Jide and somehow I discovered that he felt the same way for me too. I started feeling something (quite real and human as I thought). He made sure I had all the support I needed and wanted and i started paying a lot of attention to him and gradually I was drifting from my first love, Hossie or should I say 'Sweetness'.
Even when I was later told I was going to be a mum...it was quite easy to take cos they were all there.
It felt like a proposal, they took me out and we had so much fun and then, they dropped the news on my fragile heart. It really hurt but they were there to help me hold it together. Even at times when I felt off the willingness to live Janet would always be there (maybe because it was her brother's child), I thought so till she had to open up and tell me her own story, how she had her child(Peace baby).
The Real Deal (Episode 19)
When I woke up, I was covered in a blanket and my friends looking down at the bed where I was laid with sad, expectant but hopeful eyes. What surprised me the most was that I was still at home. I guess Goodness must have done a thing or two and obviously she got it right(as a medical student that she is na).
"Ouchhhhh" I exclaimed asked I sat up. "Pearl you OK?" Janet asked.
"Oh, the princess is up" Chidinma emphasized.
"I knew you'll be fine" she said in alignment to my thoughts. "Your heart rate, breathing, and pulse was normal. I guess you just had a panic attack and besides you were gone for just ten minutes" she assured. 'Ten minutes?' My thoughts drifted...I thought I had spent the whole day in oblivion...... I imagined as her voice brought me back again..
"If it was more than that I would have turned you in to doctor Jide Smith for attention" she concluded with a sense of humor and a little bit of pride mixed together as she walked towards the bed with a pain relief drug and a glass of water for the splitting headache that romanced my head causing me to moan in pain.
"Hmmmmm" I sighed recalling how she called Jide's name as I granted the pills painless passage through my throat.
"What happened exactly?" Maybe inquired lovingly as usual.
"I guess Goody is right, I might have panicked a little bit" I said in an attempt to cover up as I was unsure of what to tell them.
"Oh it's OK" Nonso said in obvious disbelief, "You'll be OK, if that's it" she confused as she mopped my forehead diligently.
'Hmmmmmmm, she has started with her suspicions again' I thought to myself.
As time went by, I got discharged when I was sure to be free from any major risks. Doctor Jide Smith(as I later realized was the doctor in charge of my case) really functioned in a surprising capacity even more than he promised (as my friends told me). He helped with the bills and made sure I was monitored till I was free from any form of danger(major and minor).
I began to live. That was all I could to. After all, it's been three weeks till after the whole incident and I was two months gone already.
All these while, my friends told me about a guy they called 'Sweetness' that was so interested in me even in my condition, they told me he could help me go through the pain and stress and I obliged. Love was all I needed...you know. We were introduced and we started talking, I didn't really like him much but he showered me with excess Love so we started a kind of serious relationship.
Although I got a clue that Jide liked me and I should have had butterflies for him too(he was jaw-droopingly cute), But my friends insisted on Sweetness as a better option and I obliged.
(Actually, this wasn't the first time I was meeting Jide and thinking of having butterflies for him but I had to lose my memory that contained all romantic thoughts of him so I could meet Hossie for the first time at least).
Right?????
The Real Deal (Episode 18)
"I don't think that I am ready, Hossie" I tried to defend.
"That is not the case Pearl" he replied, "It's not up to you now, you've been given enough time to do it your way and willingly, it's show time now" he said with a note of finality. Then I remembered one of the things Hossie had earlier warned me about ('that if I don't bend to God's will, he'll break me to His will). I lay there shivering and thinking about what it'll take not to own my life anymore. Yes it would be wonderful taking my relationship with Hossie seriously but I wasn't really ready, I needed something realer than Bible study dates and prayers and secret place and fasting. I Needed 'the real deal'.
Hossie without a doubt was the first love of my life(when I got to know him after a while), because I really didn't love him even when we met(his love swept me off my feet and I fell).My friends were the master minds who had talked to him about me and according to them, he asked to meet me as he was already in love with me(love before sight). This was even before I fell in love with Jide(the doctor).. Hossie had always been there.
When Jide started showing interest in me, I moved away from Hossie and started dating Jide, even when my friends talked to me about Hossie's hurt, I convinced them I was happy and even Hossie told them to let me go(Even when he kept waiting for me).
And then, when Jide jilted me, I had to run back to him, describing him as a different person to my friends and preventing them from meeting him so that they don't say those words I hate so much 'I TOLD YOU SO'. They know him as the 'Holy Spirit' but to me, He's 'Hossie' my lover(Hope they didn't hear me).
As if he could read my thoughts (of course he could). He spoke up and said "Pearl, you'll go back now but as a new person, right now your friends are worried about you, we'll see at the usual place, I love you" and then I woke up......
They came up to me with the brightest smile ever, I was completely overwhelmed and I smiled too. I saw five girls with different sizes, complexion and faces but an amazing aura of love oozed out stronger than the perfume they wore 'They are wonderful' i thought.
"How are you doing?" Chidinma asked jilting me from my thoughts.
"I am fine" I replied, "Just trying to assimilate everything" I concluded.
"Pearl, there's something else you need to know" May said.
"Shoot" I replied smiling, "I am ready for it" I said as I adjusted to a more comfortable position.
"Pearl" Janet said sadly holding my hands and looking straight into my eyes. "Baby, you're going to be a mom, you're pregnant" she said.
To an extent I took it in real calmly but not without tears(remember I said I was ready for it), at least there's an explanation. As I looked searching into their eyes with tears in mine.
"Shhhhh Pearl" Goodness calmed me down, "well go through this together, all of us" she continued. "We know you want to know what happened In details but you have to concentrate on getting back on your feet, everything will fall into place" she concluded reassuringly.
I had to trust them, didn't I????
They couldn't be lying to me or could they?(I guess I'll find out).
The Real Deal (Episode 17)
"Hossie are you torturing me?" I asked more scared than surprised.
"Pearl" he started, "It's so obvious that you still haven't gotten over Jide and you're only using me as a cover up to soothe your emotional grief, but Pearl, you're really needed right now. I know you don't believe that you're useful but what you carry is demanded of you" he continued, "and that's why I had to come in this manner to show you how important it is that you manifest and there's no excuse this time" he ended finally.
All these while, I've been on the ground shivering. I couldn't speak, I was so scared because I had never seen Hossie on that manner. He had always been calm and all over me. But I guess I had to see him this way to make it feel as important as it is.
As my friends walked out of the doctor's office all they could think about was the possibility of my survival and am sure the presence of the baby even after everything.
As far as they knew, I wasn't really into the whole Christian, Church or God thing. But I am pretty sure that it was at that point that May decided to follow me up and make me come to the full knowledge of He Who made me.
"But first, I have to make her understand the present situation of things, the pregnancy" she thought.
"I'll help" her spirit reacted.
@Greatness96
