BLOOM AND GROW

We should be concerned about our world. As Chimamanda Adichie alluded in her 2019 commencement speech at the American University (AU), we should try to change a tiny bit of our world.  We don't realize that when we choose to do this, we are indirectly making efforts to improve our lives.  When this subject of "changing our world" comes up, we are quick to think this means we should go green or save the endangered animals. However, let's remember that our world is also about humans and our social-cultural exchanges.  So, below I share my take on four very important points  on changing the world, raised by Adichie in that speech  ,  1. DO SOMETHING "Do something is to try", says Adichie. In my opinion, to do something to look at your immediate environment and take an action that improves the lives of those around you.  It is to give some of your money to deserving charities.  It is to give some of your time to helping others.

Bestselling Author  Brene Brown  has a simple formula for understanding the concept of trust. She calls her formula,  BRAVING ; which means B-boundaries, R- reliability, A-accountability V-vault, I-integrity, N-non-judgement, and G-generosity. You can find some explanation on this Braving acronym here I first heard about her formula after listening to her Supersoul session titled  the anatomy of trust.  So let's find out whether you should be trusting that co-worker, friend or spouse, as much as you do. Loading… . Done with the quiz? scroll up to check your scores! What's interesting is that you can always test for as many people as possible. Perfect scores are not required. Although based on this braving formula, the higher you score for someone, the more trusting you should of that particular person. However, even when the scores are low,  they can improve because with the feedback from the questionnaire, you have a basis for discussing trust with p

  photo credit: Instagram: @opeyemii_ 1.   You have time to self reflect Time for personal reflection is very important. That is, you actively take stock of your goals and decide the next steps to take in order to push yourself forward.  Having time for yourself also means being disciplined about your goals.  2.  You have a positive mental picture of your future. You know you are going to make it in life. At the moment, you may be far away from your goals, but you know it’s going to be OK eventually. Your perception of your future will influence the choices you make in the present.  3. You have the right value system . Honesty, trust, integrity, fairness, kindness, and tolerance are a few of the values you hold with high regard. There is a direct correlation between your value system and the choices you make.  You can’t just say you act with integrity when your actions say otherwise. Again, your choices have to align with your values otherwise, you will start to feel li

Oprah is someone I consider to have an awakened spirit. I listen to her a lot of the times and I believe she's pretty deep. Today I watched the finale of the Oprah Winfrey Show again eight years after It first aired, and all I can say is that she has become more of who she was back then. I mean that she has been able to use her new platform to further her work on human spiritual and emotional development through TV shows and Dramas like Greenleaf and Supersoul sessions. The lessons here are about the choice she made to end a succesful show after 25 years. 1. Know When You are Ready to Move. In life you have to move. And I know change is hard because every time I have had to switch jobs, I have gone through hell. It always feels like I am betraying somebody. However, change is needed for growth.  2. You Have to Give Up the Old to Accommodate the New. This is law actually. Again if you don't try new things, you will be stuck with what you have. Be willing to le

Good morning Fam,  1. In 2018, I really did burn some bridges and I am glad I did. Those bridge-burning experiences taught me that: My job is not to lift everybody up.  My job is to live your own life.  I am not a shadow.  As I have always said, "when people show you who they are, believe them the first time" 2. Practice your values, don't just profess them. This bugs me a bit because I know there are so many who cut corners and are still thriving. I mean, there are successful. The real question then for me is, why do I need to practice my values. Anyway, I want to believe that there has to be some consequence to cheating and being "fast". Maybe I am naive but at least  I know there are other people who share my school of thought. People like Khaled Hosseini author of  The Kite Runner. Here is a line from the novel I believe and agree with.   "When you kill a man, you steal a life.  You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob h

1. On some days, you will feel less than. You might feel tired or fatigued. Move on. There will be good days, So don't dwell on your shortcomings so much. 2. Everyone goes through some form of difficulty. That should not be enough reason to throw in the towel. Even if you start out rough, things can still look up for me, if you are willing. 3. Slow down. Acknowledge the fact you have the power to move at the pace you want to in life. 4. Breathe. Right now. Take a long deep breath. Every time I do this, it reminds me that I am alive.  5. Perfection is really a bastard. There is no perfect timing. We spend so much time in our heads that we actually become paralyzed. Get it out of your head and just do it.  6. Be wary of people who always see the negative in other people. You cannot trust people who give you the juice about other people. 7. When it comes to your body, people are going to say a lot of things. Ignorant stuff. Go

1. The biggest take-home for me today was  worthiness. Being worthy enough to own the life you have. Yesterday I spoke about how we allow our lack of faith hold us back. Sometimes we wish against good things happening to us because we are afraid we are not worthy to receive them. Or Afraid of what people will say. This is a note to self. And instead of constantly worrying, I would pray a small prayer of Grace.  2. Give life whatever it takes. Sometimes you need to work really hard. Not to sound cliche but Tough times never last... 3. Being nice to people will take you places. I don't mean being overly likable. I mean being a pleasant person.  4. Say thank you. Especially to your co-workers. Their work affects yours. So when people do their jobs, let them know you appreciate them.  5. Commit. Don't be that guy that has no grit. That guy that gives up at the slightest difficulty. Let me share William Henley's poem Invictus: Out of the night th

Hello, I believe journaling is a brilliant way to articulate your thoughts. It is good for improving your problem-solving abilities. Everyday life teaches us lessons and I know that if we can articulate those lessons we will be able to lead better lives. Here are a few of the things I learned today. 1. Corruption is a big issue in Nigeria. And it is everywhere, not just in government. In order to deal with corruption, one has to be strategic. Since corruption in Nigeria is so perverse, you can be overwhelmed. I don't know how to fight corruption yet. But what I know for sure is that it might be dumb to wage war on corruption without the knowledge about how to defeat it. you will be crushed. 2. You should not just consume social media, you should also contribute to the market. Be a content producer. 3. I listened to Oprah on my commute to work this morning. I think listening to a podcast or an audiobook sets you up for a better day. 4. Don't let your lack of faith

Welcome to This is What I Have Learned Episode 1. I love writing. But more importantly, writing is medicine because it helps you navigate through your thoughts. These are the things I learned today. 1. To grow you have to sometimes let go of the old . Sacrifice is important for growth. We hold on to things that do not fit into the new lives we want to live. Nothing is really as important as we consider them to be. 2. Say a Prayer of Grace in the morning . At the very least. Life can be daunting, even when you have it all. The decisions you have to make on a daily basis can make you feel small in a very big world. You have got to believe in a higher power. 3. Y our job is an opportunity to give back to the cycle of life . We spend the first 2 decades of our lives receiving knowledge. Now, you get to be the master. 4. Work hard . Always do your best. Not necessarily because people will notice, but because you will feel better about it. 5. Do not let people poison your