BLOOM AND GROW

Becoming Michelle Obama is such a well-written book and I highly recommend.  There is a quote from the book about handling doubters which I think everyone needs to keep in mind:     "I’ve been lucky enough now in my life to meet all sorts of extraordinary and accomplished people—world leaders, inventors, musicians, astronauts, athletes, professors, entrepreneurs, artists and writers, pioneering doctors and researchers. Some (though not enough) of them are women. Some (though not enough) are black or of color. Some were born poor or have lived lives that too many of us would appear to have been unfairly heaped with adversity, and yet still they seem to operate as if they’ve had every advantage in the world. What I’ve learned is this: All of them have had doubters. Some continue to have roaring stadium-sized collections of critics and naysayers who will shout  I told you so at every little misstep or mistake. The noise doesn’t go away, but the most successful

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. Your life’s purpose is to create more meaning in life. That meaning is found through the work you do.  Opinions may differ on this but I know that your purpose is basically that activity that completes you. For me, I am certain that I am here to write.  Period. And your work is usually as simple as that. I have a job; a 9-5 which I am happy about but I am a writer at heart, so I write. 2. I like Maya Angelou’s point of view on living a legacy. According to Maya, "your legacy is in every life you touch." 3. Happiness is not your life’s purpose. I am learning that happiness should not be the main pursuit. We should not chase happiness like nothing else matters. What about fulfillment? What about leaving a legacy?  I am not saying that depression and anxiety should be the preferred state of mind. What I am saying is that there will be times when you will feel less than 100 percent. Just know that there is nothing wrong with you. We all have our moments. 4.   The

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

Today, I learned about integrity. I actually learned about Trust, listening to Brene Brown's Anatomy of Trust on my way to work. I like how Brene defines integrity: A. Choosing courage over comfort, B. Choosing what’s right over what’s fun, easy or fast, and C.  Practicing your values, not only just professing your values. Integrity is not a medal. It is not something you say you have, just for the sake of saying you have something. It is an action word. 2. Teamwork makes the dream work. Everybody you work with has something unique to contribute to your workgroup. You have to appreciate what everybody brings. There is power in collaboration 3. I did some exercise this morning. I actually was reluctant but I made my way out of the house.  The big lesson for me was seeing that there were other people on the streets doing the very thing I was reluctant to do.  If you choose to give up, there will be many others who would not. 4. Your word is your bond. Being rel

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