WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?

In the mind of many people in Nigeria today, the Nigerian dream is gradually becoming an illusion. It is crumbling even in the hearts of people who were once patriots. From the rising crises of the north to an uprising in different sectors of the nation, come actions that tear to shreds the very elements of our unity. It is a popular saying that Rome was not built in a day but that its building took time and supervision and courage.

In the Nigeria of today, our politics and governance seem to break us up instead of fostering unity. Many people have given up to fate as to what becomes of them in a land flowing with milk and honey. While a number of odds unquestionably hamper things in this nation, citizens must harness the benefits of surviving in a developing economy with courage and passion.  The great writer Chinua Achebe shares a view, “The trouble with Nigeria is failure of leadership.”  Though this holds water to some great extent, we must identify the tenets of true followership. We must learn to make our mark in our communities, no matter how small. For how long have we blamed government and how much better off have we become by it? We cannot risk thrusting our destiny in the hands of a government that may hardly deliver our expectations to us.

Would you be part of the changing process? It’s painful how ego and pride deprive people of striking gold in any given area and how wishful thinking has stalled many great minds who are afraid of tilling the ground.  It’s important that I remind you that the competition is fierce- survival of the fittest ; the result is evident – impeccable as it were but the cumulative effect of not taking a bold step in a positive direction could cripple someone with a sterling tomorrow. With few jobs in Nigeria and much work to be done, only those who can pull up their sleeves to work at the appropriate time and make out time to cool off at the right time will enjoy in the unfolding nation.

Showmanship will not earn us much but a façade of applause. Who will bell the cat? Who will set the pace? Who will generate the solutions to the many begging problems? These are the questions begging for answers from you and me. I believe our solutions will not come from the west; I believe our solutions will not come when we run away from our responsibilities to other organized societies. If we all run away, who will build our society?

I cry for our unborn children who will suffer because of what we refused to do today. I believe someday, we shall wake up! While we must courageously rise up to confront government with our expectations of them, we must not forget to make hay while the sun shines. Many co-operations are yet to be built, many technologies are yet to be established and many industries are yet to be incorporated. Where would you fix your eyes, where will your name be written?

All hands must be on deck. Though we need to rub minds with developed nations in order to step up our technology, we must have such love that will keep drawing us to our fatherland. Nigeria is not the only nation with problems, every nation around the world has some problems but we must rise to confront ours. A growing insecurity problem, a challenging economic problem brings us to our knees and a deplorable infrastructural status cripples our confidence in our leaders. With our great potential of human and capital resources, we must devise ways of channeling our teeming youths into areas can help increase our agriculture backbone.

Our universities should be properly equipped; skill acquisition centres should be put in place for people to register. Today, we look back and are thankful on how far we’ve gone as a nation but somehow, regret the men and women who stash our monies in banks abroad. I believe we shall overcome; yes we shall overcome when we let go of wishful thinking, egocentric inclinations that coax us into stealing public funds to fulfill family pressures to live above our means. It will not be easy but it will be possible.

Again, I ask, who will bell the cat?

WHAT DO THEY SEE?

Every passing moment, we make certain impressions on people, whether we know it or not. The way we speak, the way we dress and even our colour combinations say a lot about us. Be careful what you’re doing so you don’t send the wrong signals or attract the wrong people. Oftentimes, every cause is caused by a cause.

Our people say a river does not drown someone who did not come for a swim. When people look at you, what do they see? As a young man, do they see a sagged trouser or an ear ring or a tattoo or do they see a corporate personality, a leader, a role model or any other thing. For a young lady, do they see a shouting make-up, an exposed cleavage or a glistering Mary-Kay? Or do they see a decent young lady with the right combination of ideals and modest fashion?

When you look at many people, especially ladies, they are lost in the make-up they are wearing. You don’t see them first; you see the make-up first before you see them or you notice their exposed boobs or back side, leaving nothing to imagination. In that way they’ve shown the world everything they’re made off. That tells the world a lot without words. Don’t pretend not to care; the first impression people have when they look at you might be, “He knows where he’s going or she’s unserious or any other thing according what they see first.

Are you wondering why people react the way they do to you? It could possibly be that they’re reacting the way they perceive you. Check up yourself; when people look at you , what do they see? When people have stayed with you for a while, what impression do you rub off on them? Do you make them happy or do you feel them with gloom?

Do not complain when people look down on you and treat you shabbily, it could be that you look down on yourself or that you lack self confidence. Remember, the sum total of your personality flows from within you. When you correct and purify the source of flowing water, the water will naturally become good.

The sum total of people’s reaction to you may depend a whole lot on the totality of your personality- your actions and your inactions. Be bold and make the analysis, what do people see when they look at you?

Critical Moment... A short story...(Fiction)

Friends, I know it's been a pretty long time since you heard from me. I missed you as much as you missed me. My internet connection hasn't been in the best of shape. Anyway, I'm back and stronger! You would soon be enjoying a couple of varieties on my blog but for now, enjoy this short story as I welcome you officially to my Inspiring world this 2012. Together, we'll make history in our world!
                                    CRITICAL MOMENT

I had slept late the night before and had slipped into the procession by a stroke of luck. I was at the end of the possession. These days, church bells were no more especially in the town where these things did not seem to matter. If it were in my village, I surely would have heard the bells even from our house.

Nothing was unusual; except that as a mass server, I had to be about the normal ritual in the holy sanctuary, putting my hands together and depicting utmost holiness and sanctity. This was the norm. My church is so organized and great order prevails unlike in many churches where the pastor does what he feels like.

The tasks are divided among other Mass servers as usual and when it reached my turn, I was to hold the microphone for the Monsignor to read out his sermon which he always prepared and read before everyone. I held the microphone and was enjoying it before I started having a strange feeling. Gradually, this strange feeling was building up underneath my white apparel. I felt like something was coming apart. I was in full glare of the church as the Reverend Father read from the Holy Book. Suddenly, I started speaking in tongues. Well, our monsignor did not so much believe in speaking in tongues. I spoke in tongues as I felt my trouser slipping off my tiny waist. I know this must be the evil one whose work is simply to kill, steal and destroy. This time, it was my pants! My belt had given way suddenly and my trouser was close to slipping off. As I silently spoke in tongues, I shifted my legs to go against the down flowing tide. Well, my pretence had no real chance of saving me. I began to recite and remix two psalms at the same time, psalm 121 and psalm 91. Gradually, the trouser came right down.

As though I had not had enough, the Monsignor then finished his speech and I was supposed to follow him with my hands together. As he took the first two steps, I followed him and then the worst happened. The trouser came down in full glare of the congregation, save for the white cassock which we wear, I was forced to use my hands to save my trousers from causing me untold spiritual hardship.

Once I held it and drew it up, I managed to find myself in a corner of the altar hidden from people to adjust my belt. As I looked up, the prying eyes of the Reverend Father met mine and immediately with a certain attitude, I pouted my mouth, put my hands together, closed my eyes and uttered, Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus… and then there seemed to this reassuring smile on his face that seemed to be saying…. Your sins are forgiven!

REBUILDING BROKEN WALLS

In our day to day lives, walls reflect an element of protection. They are components of building made up of units of blocks. No matter how small these units of blocks are, they make up great buildings. Not minding how big these buildings are, they must have no cracks in their walls. Cracks reflect weakness, inefficiency and loop holes for wrong things to enter.

Our lives are also like unit blocks of attitude, gravels of actions and cement of inactions. When the foundational blocks are not good enough, the building cannot be strong. Broken walls are places through which negative thoughts leak into our lives, emotions and influences. These broken walls allow influx of different kinds of things.

As social beings, we humans cannot put ourselves away from the reality of influences around us. Through the influences of those we surround ourselves with; our walls can be broken, fixed or even made stronger. What do you allow mostly into your life? This is because we become mostly what we focus on. We must dare to set our foundational walls right. But this may not be possible without effective inspiration. Inspiration means getting enabled by a higher unction, a greater source. I will urge you friends to make God your ultimate inspiration in order to mend your broken.

The integrity of our personality can be hampered by some habits that lurk by the roadside of our lives like wolves in sheep clothing. They seem so harmless but they melt the walls of our lives like blocks of ice on a hot sunny day. For such habits, it will do us a great good to give up on them. Sometimes, giving up does not mean weakness, it means we are strong enough to let go of excuses and unimportant habits. We would build great institutions when we repair the broken walls in our lives and indeed by hearkening to this clarion call, the greatness of our nation can be restored.  

I’ve been thinking of you!

Chijindu.

THE ALLURING FRAGRANCE.

Everywhere around the world, from the east coast to the west coast, from the deep valleys to the mountain tops; from the murky waters of the villages to the street lights in the towns, people of different class and style, beauty and gifting abound. That’s indeed what makes the world beautiful!

However, people get more attached to some people than to others. Others simply repel those that come around them and those that dare to stay might have to muster some psychological fibre to contain them as friends. The former are often an amazing bunch. Like perfumes, they exude an alluring fragrance that get people attracted to them and where ever they go, they glow. The difference between the first party and the second party I mentioned earlier is an alluring fragrance called ATTITUDE.

Attitude is a natural fragrance, deep rooted in the bones and no amount of perfume can alter it. People with bad attitude betray themselves easily despite the beautiful fragrance of their cologne; despite their inclinations and connections.

Connection can take you somewhere but character and attitude will keep you. Gaining a great attitude is not magic; it demands some work. The beautiful thing about this alluring fragrance is that it can be cultivated. It does not respect religious divides or cultural sentiments. Common attitudes like appreciation, gratefulness, courage, tolerance and so on can be cultivated.

Remember, wearing a perfume is good but there is something that smells deeper than perfumes; it’s is called ATTITUDE! Spare a little time today to show some love, render a selfless service and reach out a broad smile to someone. That simple smile might make all the difference.

Friends, let’s change the world with our alluring fragrance!

Yours Truly,

Chijindu.

ENGINE ROOM

In the issues of life, we all have a stake somewhere. It may be in our workplace, in our families or even in our society. If we don’t in any of these, at least we do in our lives. Be that as it may, it has been proven that you can have as much influence on yourself as well as on the society. To some extent, we are indeed, architects of our destinies and we can steer both our lives and the circumstances around us to suite us or favour us.

Hence this is to say that we are the engine room of this generation. I have this question for you.

Have you ever pictured yourself as an engine room, one that is bringing out solutions and solving problems? An engine room will never be effective without enough lubrication and the right oil gauge. It will surely have hitches and will most likely malfunction with wrong inputs. Hence, how effective an engine performs depends on the kind of components and the oil on the inside.

That is to say that you cannot give what you don’t have. Invariably, what you have is what you give. In case you are not aware, you are AN ENGINE ROOM, in fact, A POWER HOUSE and a SOLUTION PROVIDER! Imagine how many people are depending on you and your vision for survival. Imagine how some things would spoil if you were not around. Imagine that you owned a big company and you own 100% of the shares. If you realize this, you will act as a CEO and think like one. With the wrong oil, an engine knocks and performance plunges downhill. With no oil at all, an engine cannot power any machine. Remember that the engine room is what maintains a whole machine; it is the heart on which many a machine’s life line is based.

Be careful what you allow on the inside of you. Your input will be smoky if you allow your oil become bad. Allow nothing but the best inside and you will give out nothing but the best. Don’t live carelessly, remember, you are an engine room. Friends, beware, garbage in, garbage out.  In you, the solution lies, in you the future of our nation is secured and it is also in you that we shall celebrate the new Nigeria!

Surely, together we shall deliver the future!

Sincerely Yours!

Chijindu

I STAND FOR THIS!

In a nation so vastly populated as ours, it is often possible to get lost in the crowd. Yes; to get lost in the opinion of others or submerged in the sea of confusion generated by others or maybe, to get drowned in the vision of others. Sometimes, you may be wondering, “Where am I and what do I stand for?

In the midst of these buzzing realities, the world has a way of blowing hurricane winds on our flickering candles of faith, especially when we want to take a bold step. Be that as it may, it is good we declare our stand because according to Martin Luther King Jr., “He who has nothing to die for is not fit to live.”

Hence I dare to say that I stand for truth, equity, fairness and justice. I stand for the greatness of everyman and the brotherhood of all mankind. I stand for integrity, transparency and good governance. I am an activist, yes, an activist for the common man whose voice cannot be heard. But first, I am an optimist that is highly positive minded. I believe our nation will be great when we see ourselves as co-builders and when we learn to take responsibility.

I stand for purpose and reality. I don’t believe in begging for acceptance, rather, I believe in stating my case and showing what stuff I am made of for it is said, “once you are good, you are good” because a golden fleece has no hiding place. I believe in great virtues and in the nobility of work. I stand for morality and godliness for I do know that there is a God that rules in the affairs of men. I believe that what a man sows, he shall reap. I stand for these, what do you stand for?