Socio-buzz

Provoke your thoughts!

2014-02-16T02:11:00.001+01:00

This is a collection of original words to inspire and open our minds to some realities of our lives:

1.) The greatest tragedy is having to live with anger and thoughts of being hurt, whereas the source of the pain is oblivious of the offence.

2.) Life has taught me that even the strongest minds get weak sometimes...it's not inconsistency, it's being human, it's imperfection!

3.) Tomorrow is a product of thoughts, words, actions, omissions and TODAY... every single moment adds up.

4.) The true value of power is made manifest in powerlessness, just as the true value of wealth or plenty is made manifest in poverty or lack.

5.) Why not wait a few more minutes? Aren't you feeling a little tired now? Why not wait till you have enough funds? Say no to PROCRASTINATION!

6.) There is one person who is NOT permitted to doubt your potentials because as soon as he does, you crumble. That person is called YOU!

7.) When issues become complex, solutions become complicated. It takes character to move from complicated to complex, simple and to resolution!

8.) Appreciation is better expressed in Contentment.

9.) Pull the trigger on your thoughts and the deed is done.Perhaps you can't control what you feel or think;but you sure can control what you do.

10.) Do you know someone who is walking on thorns and spikes?Render a voice of hope. Otherwise, it could be the hope you give or a rope hanging down such a person's neck.

Copyright: The Socialites

Beware of 'False' Knights in Shining Armours

2014-01-20T04:52:00.003+01:00

Hello dear friends, I trust you have been doing very well?

This discussion promises to be as brief as possible and straight to the point because of its nature, which is just to further reiterate some of the safety procedures some of us seem to have lost track of.

We all know that knights in shining armours are meant to be our friends or people we view as trustworthy, people who should have our backs and who help us out of difficult situations; however, nowadays we have people who lead us into those difficult situations, wolves in sheep clothing, whom I prefer to call 'false' knights in shining armours.

How else would you describe
the behavioural traits of some very callous individuals in the world today? I'm sure you have probably heard of how some guys recently raped and assaulted a 14-year old girl, indeed I'm sure we have heard all manner of rape stories. Did you also hear of one fresh, healthy looking guy with 6-packs, a former college student in the USA, who knew he was HIV positive, secretly infected about 30 unsuspecting victims with the virus (through intercourse) and secretly filmed the sex tapes? In the recent past, there was also a woman somewhere in Africa who was HIV positive and who was caught breastfeeding her neighbour's baby ... Man's inhumanity to man.

What this goes to say is that the world has become more dangerous, self-serving and very perilous and calls for urgent attention. You need to step up to speed in protecting yourself and your loved ones. Remember that there is nobody that cares about you more than you do, except of course, God Himself. As a young person, be careful of whom you hang out with and be careful of where you hang out; rape nowadays does not know the meaning of 'friendship', confidence rape is on the increase. Be careful of whom you leave your kids and wards to; we know how many 'uncles' (neighbours or friends) have turned wicked. Be also very careful of the manner of maidservants and menservants you hire. It is also very safe to ascertain the health status of such persons before hiring and leaving your children with them. Also be very nice and courteous to them because some people are very heartless to the point of transferring aggression to innocent fellows.

Lastly, if you are fond of having unprotected sex with strange fellows, please in the interest of those who love you, STOP it! Even if such a fellow looks fresh and healthy, do not be deceived; beware also of easy-to-come-by, free or readily available sex; if you are dating and not yet married, get tested, remember the ABCs - Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condom usage; however, it is always safe to avoid unprotected sex. It is sad that some husbands and wives have been infecting their spouses as a result of their infidelity but that is a discussion for another day. Some people argue that we shall all die someday; yes, but who authorized you to facilitate the process? If you are already infected, do not panic - seek counselling and live a healthy life. I respect people who are HIV Positive, who realize that if properly managed, it is not a death sentence, and who do not seek to infect others; may their days be long.
I could go on and on but I made a promise to be brief, so I need to pen down here. Have a lovely new week and stay out of trouble!

Happy 'Hardworking' New Year with the 'Dream BIG Insurance Policy'

2014-01-02T04:17:00.001+01:00

Disclaimer: Contrary to what the title may suggest, this article has nothing to do with Insurance as a field or as a business. Have fun reading.

I'm pretty sure we've sent all the messages, made all the calls, written BBM Statuses, tweeted, written facebook posts, posted pictures to Instagram, etc, all in the spirit of the New Year Celebration.
I'm also sure we have received and equally sent out messages such as Happy New Year, I Wish you a prosperous new year, etc., not to mention the many 'mass-produced' messages we duplicate around. Please also indicate with a wave if you spent 31st night in Church ... Hallelujah, I did too. Oh, and lest I forget, some of us have also made New Year Resolutions. OK! So, what's next?

I remember that every year always starts as 'New' and as humans, we always hope that each year turns out better than the previous one. However, we actually contribute little or nothing towards making it happen and in the end, we curse out that particular year and embrace the coming one with the same persistent hope and the cycle just continues. Count 10 years down the line and you are already feeling that your life did not turn out well or some 'villagers' were after you. The truth of the matter is this:
I wish you a prosperous New Year, New Year Resolutions, 31st Night Prayers and plain hope are NOT enough to actually achieve what you need.

It is time to get down to business. It is time to make those Resolutions happen, it is time to put those Prayers and wishes to work. If you have not done so already, think of the things you wish to achieve this year and write them down. And please, dream BIG. Remember Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first Female President said: 'If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough'. It's not over-ambitiousness, it's Insurance. How? Look at it this way: a trader buys an article for 500 bucks, would he sell that article for less than that amount? No reasonable trader would do so, except the article is deteriorating and desperately needs to be sold out, in which case the trader would be blamed for not working hard enough to sell it when it was still in good condition. Now, this particular trader who wants to make profit, will ensure that he adds his overhead costs and other expenses to the selling price, in which case, he might decide to sell that article for 550, 600 bucks or even higher. If for any reason, his customers think 550 is too high, he can at least, persuade them to take it for AT MOST 510 and if push comes to shove, he could sell it for the cost price of 500 (this is worst case scenario, because in the real world, we know that no trader can comfortably make a profit of just 10 bucks on an article he bought for 500; however, the point being made is that he will at least, recoup his cost price of 500). Now, this lengthy analogy helps us summarize what I call the 'Dream BIG Insurance Policy' such that if for example, you are an entry level staff and you dream of becoming a Manager in a particular year, with the right attitude and hardwork, worst case scenario, you could end up an Assistant Manager by that year, but most likely, never a Supervisor. However, if your dream is as small as wanting to become an Assistant Manager, you may end up an Assistant Supervisor. If you dream of making Ten Million, of course you know it's a lot of money which won't be easy to make, but you commit yourself to that goal, work hard and do the needful, chances are that you may end up making Five Million or Three Million, but most likely, never thousands. But in all you do, ensure that you never make below the amount you spend trying to achieve that goal...that is when you know you have made profit. The morale of this analogy is that in reality, you may not be able to make as much as you dream, but the higher you aim, the less likely you are to fall to ground zero. It is a fact that has worked through Centuries.

So, as we herald this New Year, let us soil our hands with WORK. If you are a student, you cannot scale through without adequate preparation...in reality, it may not be about reading your books, it could be about any other preparatory method that helps you pass your courses (fair or foul means, students know better). As an unemployed graduate, please do not use that condition as an excuse; become computer literate, go online and you will be shocked to discover SEVERAL legitimate money-making opportunities; as an example that works, you could sign up to online work boards, such as www.odesk.com, www.elance.com, etc.; most of us have Blackberry, Android, Windows, I-phones, etc, yet we only use them for frivolities. We admire celebrities, read their stories and wish to be like them but we are truly not ready to be like them because we are not doing the right things. It is time to get real...gossips, chit-chats and laziness will not fetch you success. This is the time to discover your inner abilities; most of us have skills or even INTERESTS in fashion designing, hair dressing, cosmetics, etc., yet we feel they are menial and therefore, we do not want to harness them. Truth is: Not everybody is designed for white-collar jobs and with Unemployment on the rise, it is time to explore other prospects. For me, self-employment is almost, if not, everything. Apart from the freedom it gives, it brings out the best in you because you would want to work sooooo hard to ensure that your prized 'possession', your business, does not get flushed down the drain. Believe it or YES, you have what it takes. You do not have the capital to kick off? Okay, but have you written a document detailing what you want to do? why not plan out what you would like to do? you never can tell who will be interested in sponsoring it at any given point in time. Do not get caught unprepared.

The time to act is NOW! If on 31st December, 2014, you want to look back at this year, beat your chest, look up and say 'Thank You God for a successful year', you need to start thinking and start acting.

The year is still nascent, so I wish you what you wish and work to achieve for yourself, Happy New Year!

The seed of advancement - Confidence!

2013-12-09T23:56:00.001+01:00

You may have probably been in a meeting where solution was being sought to an issue and you had a contribution to make but didn't do so because you thought your idea was likely to be mocked by your fellows or that you were not qualified enough to speak or that you did not have the ability of an orator; consider also a line of business, trade or profession you probably wanted to delve into, but were afraid that you would not fare well in it or that people would wag their tongues negatively; you marvel when you see people speak in public places before hundreds or thousands or even millions of people and you

imagine to yourself that you would never be able to do that because of the regular phrase: 'stage fright.'

Bear in mind that there is a very high possibility that the idea which you failed to mention in that meeting would have brought about the needed breakthrough and that business which you failed to try out would probably have been the best occupation for you.

Confidence is generally described as a state of being certain either that an idea or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. Self-confidence is having confidence in oneself. Confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy as those without it may fail or not try because they lack it and those with it may succeed because they have it rather than because of an innate ability (Wikipedia).

Just like a seed planted on soil, confidence is like a seed which we should plant in our minds and hearts and which requires our utmost attention in enabling it grow. Below are three ways by which you and I can grow this seed (Thanks to Huffington Post):

1. Affirm that you are not alone: What that means, is that we often abandon ourselves, and that creates a feeling of tremendous insecurity. You are the one who has got to have your back and heart. There are three factors to knowing you are not alone: you reach within and you grab hold of your core self; you reach outward and you ask for help; and you reach to others and offer help.

2. Move into radical self-acceptance: Start appreciating every little thing about you, reinforce the positive, and refrain from focusing on lack. When you are feeling insecure, tell yourself, "I can't afford the luxury of indulging in my own insecurities." I often play the Bruno Mars song "Just the Way You Are," which energizes me (and I wonder if Bruno wrote it for me).

3. Don't wait to be perfect before you take action: You are always going to be a work in progress. Don't wait for perfect circumstances. We put conditions on our happiness and well-being that distract us from being open to the opportunities that are in front of us.

There are lots of things we can accomplish simply by believing in ourselves and in our abilities. Remember that Ability has NOTHING to do with the colour of your skin, your height, weight, facial and bodily appearance or any other physiological or biological make-up. Nowadays, it is even becoming glaring that it has little or nothing to do with your grades in school and even with a physical impairment, you have the ability to accomplish A LOT only if you plant, grow and harvest confidence.

Some of us have remained impoverished because we have failed to develop the confidence needed to transform our ideas into money-making machines, some of us have missed opportunities because we failed to speak when it mattered. Remember, if you do not try, you will never know; if you do not make an effort or take a step forward, you will never know what lies ahead; if you do not expose that idea, you will never know if it would be valuable or not.

Confidence or a lack of it is a product of the mind, therefore, turn your negative thinking into positive action; when you encounter failure or disapproval, pick up your confidence, make your corrections and keep walking; whenever you think you are not qualified or adequate for anything, try listening to the song 'perfect' by Pink and remember the Obama slogan: ''Yes we can''; or try personalizing it: ''Yes I can''.

Whenever I am about to lose confidence regarding undertaking a particular action, I always look for the difference between myself and others who have done similar things and usually I do not find any difference beside the fact that we are just 'physically' different in terms of facial and bodily differences. I also imagine to myself that I probably have a higher IQ and higher abilities than those people and so if they were able to do it regardless, I too DEFINITELY could; coming to this realization ALWAYS restores my confidence.

Have you ever doubted your abilities? Have you ever lost confidence which cost you something? How do you build your confidence?

Compliments of the Season!

Opinion Re-Public: Should I Accept or Flee?

2013-11-19T01:10:00.001+01:00

Hi Friends,

Here's a real life scenario requiring your candid opinions.

There is this lady from a very humble background (the word 'humble' in this context is synonymous with impoverishment or living below the poverty line....) dating a guy from a very wealthy and influential background.

Their relationship has been okay, except for the fact that

each time there's a little misunderstanding between them, the guy usually starts by recounting the woes of the lady's poor background, calling her names and telling her to be grateful for having him drag her out of her poverty-stricken family.

This attitude rips this lady's heart apart each time the guy displays it and she is at the point where she is finding it difficult to contain the verbal abuse.

Now, this lady just got a tip from the guy's close friend that the guy will soon propose to her. And she's asking: ''should I accept or flee''? ''Is there any possibility that he will change for good when we are married''? And I'm adding: if there is no possibility that he will change, is there a way she can handle or manage the situation?

So, kindly put on your 'Marriage Counsellor robes' and your eye glasses of scrutiny (LOL) to assist this lady before the 'yes or no' date. Thanks and enjoy your week!

Opinion Re-public: Would you rather confess?

2013-11-07T02:18:00.005+01:00

Back to relationship issues, dear friends.

I saw a programme on TV yesterday, which drew me to this particular question: if you ever cheat on your partner/spouse, would you confess or keep it to yourself, knowing the possible implications of such confession? Would you wait to get caught and confronted before confessing? Or would you still deny even when you have been caught right in the act? LOL...some people are high-profile film stars in this because even when you are looking at them committing the act, they try to prove to you that you probably are hallucinating or have gone berserk...LOL.

Then again, If your partner/spouse cheats on you and confesses, would that be the end of the relationship or would you offer him or her another chance?

Please don't forget to give reasons for your answer.

Stereotypes...Do people 'really' conform?

2013-10-25T00:38:00.002+01:00

A stereotype is a thought that may be adopted about specific types of individuals or certain ways of doing things but that belief may or may not accurately reflect reality. It can be described as prejudice, which means a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

Most, if not all of us, while growing up, were told certain things about certain groups of people; we have now grown to accept those ideas as fitting for those groups of people whether we have proved them true or not.

For example, in Nigeria, people from
a certain tribe are widely regarded as extremely money-loving, shrewd and obsessively-business-minded people. Even within the that tribe, there is a group of people who are generally seen as meticulously selfish and tricky with the popular saying that a snake would rather be spared rather than someone from that area. These is also the notion that short people are usually aggressive and stubborn; men from a certain part of the country are seen as lazy and their women industrious; men from a particular state in this country are regarded as being overly promiscuous, women from a particular area in this country are not seen as 'wifely', etc etc...the list is endless and these stereotypes seem to inform the way we relate to the people so classified.

Personally, I feel that judging people at first sight based on non-factual sentiments is not only inhuman but unreasonable. I believe in the school of thought that preaches that an individual is an 'individual' and should be regarded by his personal attributes which are products of his biological and social factors, otherwise called the nature-nurture factor. The attributes of one or more people from his tribe should not form the yardstick for assessing his behaviour because social and biological differences play a major role. For instance, it is possible that some people from a particular area are thieves and Mr. A is from that area but grew up in another area, where stealing is almost non-existent. One who is prejudicial, knowing that Mr. A is a native of the robbery-prone area, immediately starts associating him with that act without considering the high chance that because he grew up in a very law-abiding area, it is absolutely possible that he does not steal.

However, some people have argued that these stereotypes often hold true. Thus, the questions staring us in the face are: do people who are so classified, REALLY conform to these stereotypes? Have you had any clear instance of that? If so, could you please, share? What other stereotypes are you aware of?

Have a Good Weekend.

Credit to Wikipedia for the intellectual guide

Workplace Romance - Kill it or Save it?

2013-10-18T06:10:00.001+01:00

Before you brandish your killer rifle, consider that Objectivity should be the watchword when any issue is being analyzed. The trend is that the issue of Workplace Romance has been viewed negatively over time and many Organizations have developed policies preventing it.

What then, is Workplace Romance? It simply describes a situation whereby two (or more) members of the same organization develop a relationship with mutual attraction (and often sexual benefits).
Since the workplace is a place where people share a common interest, and spend most of their time, it provides the perfect opportunity for love. While love can make one do crazy things, it is important to
keep a clear mind and realize the pros and cons to developing a relationship with a co-worker.
So, while you are loving-up or before you start getting entangled, consider that Workplace Romance:

- Threatens the advancement of one's Career: Some Managers view involvement in Workplace Romance as mixing business with pleasure, unprofessional and a possible lack of judgement and as such, are reluctant to offer the employees involved any further advancements within the company. This is to say that such employees have exhibited poor judgment and cannot be trusted with serious company matters.

- Complicates Work Relationships: When office relationships end in a breakup, it can not only ruin the relationship between the two co-workers involved, but it can also eliminate any personal connections that the employees had with their previous partners' department. Because the two employees will continue to see each other on a daily basis, the breakup can cause negative feelings toward the other individual as well as a reminder of one's failure.

- Brings about Co-Worker Confusion: Romantic relationships in the workplace are often known and easily detected by the couple's fellow co-workers. Once it is made known that the two individuals are in a relationship, it is often difficult for their co-workers to know whether to view them as individuals or as a team. One person's attitude and performance may often be used to characterize the other person, individuals are often misjudged because of the person they are in a relationship with.

- Produces Conflicts of Interest: Conflicts of interest often arise in workplace relationships especially when the couple works in different departments. Their opinions may differ, and they may disclose private information to each other that may hurt either side when making important company decisions.

- Results in Decline in Performance: The involvement of two employees in a romantic relationship can negatively affect their work performance due to distractions in the workplace. These distractions usually occur when there is a major issue in the relationship, such as a wedding, a break-up, conflict at home, a baby on the way, etc., as they inevitably carry the weight of their worries to work.

Okay, right now, it is beginning to sound like Workplace Romance is a 'no-brainer', which then brings us to the Positives or advantages of having intimate Workplace Relationships:

- Energizes workplace morale: There is something about watching people fall in love that makes others feel positive as well. The attitudes of the two people involved in the romantic relationship are often uplifting, and they become happier individuals, which reflects back on their attitudes toward their work and their coworkers. The other employees that see this relationship unfold often feel uplifted as well especially if they were able to play a part in the development of the budding relationship.

- Motivates Employees: Because workplace romances are often viewed in a negative light, the individuals involved are often motivated to do their job better and more efficiently in order to disprove the negativity associated with their relationship with a coworker.

- Encourages Creativity and Innovation: Coworkers in a relationship spend a lot of time together both in and out of the workplace, so there is more opportunity to discuss new approaches and techniques to completing projects together. The individuals in the relationship may brainstorm ways to get their work done faster and more efficiently, so they may spend more time together outside of the workplace.

- Softens Work-related Personality Conflicts: Romantic relationships in the workplace allow the individuals involved to become more open and willing to cooperate with each other. In conjunction with having more positive attitudes toward their work, individuals are often easier to work with because they feel more comfortable expressing their ideas and criticisms with their significant other. This behavioral change can lead to more effective work groups, and in the end, a more productive atmosphere in which open communication is a key aspect.

- Improves Teamwork, Communication and Co-operation: A couple's relationship can provide further communication channels within the workplace especially if the individuals are members of different departments. The personal connection the two individuals have with each other can allow the members of their respective departments to feel more comfortable communicating back and forth as well. Because the channels of communication become more open and accessible, conflicts between departments are also reduced allowing the company to work more effectively as a whole.

From this analysis, it seems like a 50-50 decision...5 Advantages and 5 Disadvantages. What then would you do if you were the Owner or Manager of a company? Have you or do you know someone who has been involved in an intimate Workplace relationship? How did it turn out? Share your experiences. Cheers!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the Intellectual Guide!

Opinion Re-public: Education or Craft?

2013-10-15T21:42:00.001+01:00

Recently, with the alarming rates of unemployment, underemployment, Incessant strikes (the current ASUU Strike is a case in point), Lecturers' palaver, etc., some fellow Nigerians have argued that it is perhaps, better to avoid spending one's youthful years in pursuit of an Academic degree with tiresome rigours and lackluster benefits in the end.

Thus, some people are advocating for young people to 'forget' about Western Education, start early and learn a trade or craft as it appears Craftsmanship pays the bills nowadays - We now see a lot of graduates who have dumped their certificates and are now doing very well in one business, craft or trade.

So, what do you think? Are you pro-education or pro-craft? What are the pros and cons of either of the two choices?

The Powers WE carelessly Abuse

2013-10-13T22:41:00.001+01:00

POWER!!! A five-letter word we all use fairly carelessly, a recurrent feature in all human activities, yes, ALL.

By the way, this discussion is far from Political; so while you are reading this, kindly take off your political shoes, shut your political eyes, then wear your social goggles and your thinking caps.- this article is not about our political leaders, the corruption, the abuse of power, bla bla bla...those issues overshadow the roles we, as 'ordinary' citizens, play in power relationships, which inevitably find expression in the political power process.

Ready? Let's shoot!

Ask the average man on the street if he is powerful or if he has power and the ready answer you hear is 'Ah, which power? Abeg, I never reach o, I no get power'. This is because we usually view power as something big, extraordinary, far-fetched...and often,
we assume that all power must be political or religious because 'power' should be something 'powerful' and mighty.

One definition of Power that interests me a lot is the one I read from an essay by Robert Linthicum, which states that 'Power is the capacity, ability and willingness to act.' Capacity means having the wherewithal, the facility, the instrument to act. Ability refers to the skill, aptitude, knowledge and/or competence to act. And the willingness is the resolve and the commitment to act. This analysis means that once you have the capacity, ability and willingness to perform ANY type of action, you have power.

Having said that, we realize that Power is something we all wield at one point or another in our lives, irrespective of our social statuses, political reputations, cultural inclinations, religious beliefs and personal qualities.

Having understood the meaning of power, the abuse of power according to The Business Dictionary, implies:

The act of using one’s position of power in an abusive way. This can take many forms, such as taking advantage of someone, gaining access to information that shouldn’t be accessible to the public, or just manipulating someone with the ability to punish them if they don’t comply.

So before we accuse political leaders of abusing power, let us consider the following ways by which we have also abused the powers we wield.

Emotional Power: Consider that person whom you know loves you so much and can do anything humanly possible to please you...yet, you treat him or her with disdain; you know he/she will always stick around because you possess some level of power over them. You know how they feel about you and that is the weakness you build on.

Consider that woman you call your wife; you batter her, abuse her verbally, cheat on her and treat her unkindly. You know that apart from the fact that she loves you, she cannot think of leaving because she was raised to strive to work out her marriage. You know that even if you throw her out of the house, she will be outside crying for you to open the door, yet you go ahead and do as you wish.

Consider that person who confided in you with a very 'deadly' secret that could destroy him or her. Because you know this ugly story, you resort to blackmail to get whatever you want from your 'victim' whenever you want it.

Economic Power: Consider that Servant, Steward or Messenger in your house or office; you know he will not disobey because he needs to do your bidding to make ends meet. So you take advantage of that weakness, make him do the most derogatory things and treat him with utter inhumanity.

Consider the young lady or young man who needs money from you to settle educational, domestic or other financial problems. You know he or she will do anything in desperation, so you capitalize on it and take a pound of flesh, when in reality, you could have helped them without asking for anything in return.

Consider the members of your family; you know they need your assistance and you know it would take you nothing to render such assistance. Yet you want them to massage your ego and bow to you before you assist.

Consider that product, which you solely produce or distribute. You know that people will do anything and pay any amount to get that product. You then hoard it, increase the price and perhaps, adulterate it so that you can sell less value for more profit.

Academic Power: Consider that student of yours who is unable to 'sort' you for grades or whom you lust after. You know this student was exceptional but you tell yourself that he or she must dance to your tune or face the music.

Consider that classmate of yours who is not as academically sound as you are, whom you can help out at your free time; Instead, you need him or her to pay you, get into bed with you or you spend time making fun of him or her.

Physical Power: Consider that helpless young lady or child whom you raped because you could physically overpower her.

Consider the helpless young man, whose belonging you seized because you could overpower him and shut him up.

Linguistic Power: Consider the uneducated man or woman you ripped-off by bamboozling him or her with your impeccable command of English; you knew he would not understand what you were referring to, yet you had to brandish words that even you may not have understood, because you needed to rob him of something. Some of us at one time or another, have done this to our parents. It may sound or feel smart, but you abused your power.

Consider that your co-worker from another tribe, who apparently does not understand your language. You have another co-worker who is from your tribe, so you two form a clique and discuss the co-worker from the other tribe, saying things that could drive him to depression if he ever understood.

Official Power: Consider that you are an Accountant in a Church, Office, etc. Because you have first-hand access to the financial resources of the organization, you use it to enrich yourself and when asked, you quote false records, sweetly tweaked to conceal your deeds or claim you were robbed.

Consider that you are in a position to control a queue and ensure that people are attended to according to when they came. Suddenly, your friend or relative walks in and you let them take front spot, making nonsense of the entire order and disregarding the feelings of people who have spent time and energy waiting to judiciously take their turns.

These are only a few of the countless scenarios that portray our daily abuse of power. Political power abuse is just one of the facets of abuse. So, while you rain abuses at political leaders, take a moment to consider that you may be guilty of facets of this same offence. No Abuse of Power is bigger or smaller than the other because most times, it is difficult to quantify the enormity of the damage caused by these seemingly-little abusive behaviours. Political Power Abuse is seen to exist on a macro level; however, these other modes of abuse exist in micro social relationships, which are very widespread though not often spoken of.

The question is: if we constantly engage in these forms of abuse, can we guarantee that we will not abuse political power if given the opportunity to wield it? If we are unfaithful in small things, how then can we handle big ones?

Answers, please...

Also feel free to make contributions and point out other scenarios that are not listed above. It is time to look inwards.

Happy New Week!

Does It Matter, Anyway?

2013-10-09T03:12:00.001+01:00

We agree that a lot of things do matter in life...what we do not realize is that there are a few other things, or perhaps many other things, depending on our standpoints, which do not matter so much or at all.
The reason it is important to differentiate appropriately is to avoid certain conversations, situations, mindsets, etc, which could put you in very awkward positions or undermine your self-worth.
Therefore, take a cue from the following:

1.) You know that no matter what you say or do, people will always have their opinions about it...for compliment or for ridicule. Why then do you dress to impress the next person, who may not even notice you? One thing you should remember is that people (even renowned 'fashionistas') usually have different views about a particular dressing...watch 'Fashion Police' on E! and you can agree. Some of us while trying to standout, end up masquerading and feeling very uncomfortable. You wear very high stakes you can barely walk on, thus either taking baby steps or walking like a skeleton and probably
falling and spraining your ankles; you wear long weaves that make you sweaty and take a toll on your neck; you fix lashes that you know you feel like pulling off each time your hand touches your face; you bleach your body and a few weeks later, you start applying Petroleum Jelly because you may have realized that some parts of your body have become as bright as the sun and others, as dark as night...the fanta and coke analogy...LOL. Crazy indeed! Remember that whatever you put on, however you look, will always attract differing views; my point being: wear what feels right to you, do what feels right to you, as long as it is decent within reason; think it through to avoid regrets later. Now, the definition of decency is also very controversial but as long as it makes you comfortable, is appropriate for the occasion and you do not appear as nudity personified, wear it! Decency is a moral and cultural phenomenon which can provoke sentiments from the vast majority, so it will be a discussion for another day.

2.) Why do you fake mannerisms and behaviours just to fit into someone else's reality? Some people in an attempt to speak proper 'Oral English' end up being utterly ridiculous and disgusting, pronouncing words inappropriately. Take for instance, pronouncing 'matter' as 'mather', 'what' as 'whath', etc. On a personal note, such pronunciations make me want to literally puke...Please, stop! I mean, does it really matter that you call it brother (broda), instead of 'bruva'? If you must be truly phonetic, get a dictionary and learn English pronunciations adequately or get an education in Linguistics.
Most annoying is what some of my fellow ladies go through in order to impress their suitors. You know in your very 'heart of hearts' that you do not like Vegetable soup but because he likes it, you claim it has been your only favourite soup even while you were in the womb (then after eating it, the loo becomes your lounge for the day). You know you hate washing with your hands but you claim you are a laundry woman and instead of using the washing machine, you use your hand because you are indeed homely...when your hands eventually turn to sandpaper, he will go in search of soft-palmed ladies, then you will become a handy-woman and a house-keeper; Don't get me wrong - I am only saying: be real. You know you do not like the stench of cigarette and your doctor has warned you against it, but because you know his slogan is 'cigar over bitches', you claim that the stench of cigarette is the only scent you love to wake up to and even go ahead to grab a few sticks (then when he's not looking, you walk out to breathe fresh air)...God help you if you have Chronic Asthma. He slaps and batters you, you know it's killing you inside but you tell him and your friends that you know he beats you because he loves you and his magical hands help steer you into consciousness when you go astray...I hope one day, you can return from the unconsciousness that his hands will inflict on you. Therefore, before you do any of these, ask yourself: does it matter that I do not love any of these? Point is: if he loves you, he will stick and if he does not, even if you agree that his fart is the loveliest designer perfume there is, or that his snort is the song that your heart beats to, he will still dump you and move on. What you do not like, mention it from the start because nowadays, marriage is like being in an exam hall where what you deliver is what you have prepared and when you realize you did not practice enough, you discover that there is often nothing you can do except you walk out of the hall and perhaps, retake the exam with another set next time. Of course, marriage thrives on compromise but there are some things you know you cannot live with. There are no short-cuts and what you accept from the start, you cannot reject later, that would be a breach of contract, as Lawyers would say. The reason many marriages fail nowadays is because expectation (falsely given) usually exceeds actual outcome, thereby causing what Economists would call 'disequilibrium' and what Sociologists would call 'Social disorganization'....heheheheee... #Enoughsaid

3.) Why do you agree to render favours that are most inconveniencing to you, especially not out of sincere willingness to help, rather to impress? You know you will be grumbling in your spirit while doing it, so why torture yourself? Do these things really matter, given that people will always say what they wish? If you are too kind, you'll be called names such as 'goody-goody', 'goody-bag', 'holy-holy', etc. Of course if you do not render help, you will be tagged the devil. So, does it really matter if you say 'no' sincerely to a request you know you cannot handle? It would only make you honourable. Of course it is always good to render help but do not forget that you are human and cannot do everything; if you will be grumbling while doing it or afterwards, please do not accept it. If there is anyone we should strive to impress, that person should be God. And if you believe in God, you know that God is interested in your inner thoughts, rather than your outward behaviour. So, what will it profit a man or a woman to go through stress, angrily render a favour, get called a 'goody-goody' by even the person helped and still be seen by God as paying lip-service? That would be a monumental failure. Advise yourself!

In the long run, you will discover that the only thing that really matters is being true to yourself, standing up for what you believe in, creating your own reality and walking in your own shadows.

Break-ups in relationships: say what? do what?

2013-06-03T02:02:00.000+01:00

Break-ups are never funny and never taken kindly but I must confess that some break-up lines are 'tot-solutely' hilarious. Check out a few of them below:

This is an absolute front-page announcement...public character assassination...Dude, just relocate! LOL

The Search of Life....Search till you drop dead....that's what you get for cheating on me....LOOOOL

Simple and Straighforward...No need to stress it, he knew his girlfriend would understand simple english....besides, his ink seemed to be in short supply....LOL

LOL...Have you ever suffered a break-up? Share your break-up lines or those of people you know; who knows: you could be giving someone some valuable ideas that could come-in handy.. *winks* :D. People also break up in various ways such as over the phone, face-to-face, etc. Share your experiences or those you have heard about. Cheers!

N.B. Images obtained from huffingtonpost.com.

Qualities that sustain a relationship

2013-05-30T01:50:00.001+01:00

Relationship, Relationship, Relationship...aren't you tired of hearing it? Well, I would have nodded in affirmation but even if I refuse to talk about it, I can still not exempt myself from it and neither can you :p.. LOL. This is because every now and then, one person or the other is going through one emotional stress or the other; it could be a single person having an issue with his or her partner or a married person struggling with patching things up or risking a divorce. It is worthy to note that there is no
hard and fast rule to handling a relationship because it always follows that there are different strokes for different folks, since research has shown and common sense can prove that no two relationships are alike or operate under absolutely similar circumstances. However, over time, people have tried to point out certain factors that have helped and still continue to hep in building and maintaining relationships that are timeless. Here they are:
- "Chemistry, common interests, mutual respect and great communication."
- "Trying new things together, whether it's traveling, eating, reading, or getting creative in the sack."
- "Keeping your vows and still choosing to believe that he/she hung the moon."
- "Both people wanting the relationship enough to work at it."
- "Caring more for the other person than yourself."
- "God as the headship, emotional intimacy, trust , and respect"
- "Shared values, respect, trust, real conversation about the hard stuff, appreciation; two independent people who enhance each other's lives."
- "Both parties being grounded in selves & taking ownership of their own feelings; mutual admiration & respect; listening."
- "Not fighting over the small stuff"
- "Good intellectual conversation."
- "Honesty, open communication, emotional maturity, understanding... putting in all or nothing."
- "Patience, grace and A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR."
- "Love...because where there is love there is respect and trust."

Okay, now let me clarify that I did not compose these points myself. I peeped and grabbed them from Huffington Post. They represent some of the ingredients that could give life to your already-slumping relationship; and if you are still getting started on the relationship ride, ensure that you have these ingredients wholly or partly. Meanwhile, help us enrich the above list; let us know other ingredients we probably did not mention. Spread the word! Cheers!

Opinion Re-public: Music or Movies?

2013-05-28T00:33:00.001+01:00

Some of us are addicted to music while others are addicted to movies. However, some people would argue that they are addicted to both but we know that no two addictions can be of equal proportion.

So, pray tell, are you the type of person that wears ear plugs listening to music all day, while working, cooking, washing, eating, even while sleeping (hehehheeee...yes) or while walking on the road?

Do you know the tunes, lyrics and the artistes of most songs?

Or are you someone who would miss
work, school, a doctor's appointment or even an all-important date because of Twilight, Skyfall, Vampire Diaries or some other must-see movies?

Choose where you belong and let us know the extent to which you express your addiction. Remember, on this platform, there are no right or wrong answers, just preferences. Share the fun.

Cheers :) !

Opinion Re-public: iPhone, Samsung, Nokia, HTC, Sony or Blackberry?

2013-05-19T02:42:00.003+01:00

There have been serious debates about whether one should stick to Blackberry 'pinging' or switch to other mobile brands; often, we are bothered about the better brand. Mobile phone brand is also fast-becoming a status symbol among we young people...hilarious, isn't it? Well, I guess that's one of the fall-outs of the Net age.
It is often difficult to choose between these brands because the smartphones they produce seem to be unique and different from each other in diverse ways, thus resulting in situations where some people change from one brand to the other, while the 'gbo gbo bigzzz' people, especially ladies (hehehehheee :p) go as far as having up to three of the above brands. Most people complain they are
tired of BBM, it has become childish, they want to switch to iPhone, Samsung, etc, but only a few people have been able to do away with their BB phones. Addiction or spell? LOL. I also know that some people dread iPhones because of the full touch-screen feature....be sincere - not used to 'modern facility'? Okay, I'm sorry, that's not your reason. Yes, you are right, it's really fragile; well, that's why the word 'careful' exists.....LOL.
Nobody seems to be content with Nokia torch or the Motorola of times past...well, what can I say? GSM Communication has gone far beyond the days when it was all about 'basic telephony', that is, making and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages. Infact, even the older generation has embraced this new trend...our parents now 'ping' and tweet and do all sorts with their smartphones, such that we young people carefully look out to avoid adding our parents to our contacts or followership...heheheee.
However, even as smart phones are getting smaller and smarter, some of us still have our Nokia torchlights, especially in cases of battery emergencies, especially associated with Blackberry smartphones...hehehehee....in those situations, we quickly revert to basic telephony, the primary reason phones were made in the first place; and yes, I'm talking from experience...LOL.
So, let's know your preferred brand, if you constantly switch and why?
Keep rocking your weekend.
Cheers!

Opinion Re-public: Should a wife 'submit' her income to her hubby?

2013-05-06T17:40:00.001+01:00

I got inspired to talk about this topic after seeing the fuss it generated on my friend's facebook page.

Seriously people, is it "okay" for a woman to give her husband the money she makes as soon as she gets paid? Let's have your views and feel free to back your thoughts with references if any.

I hope we are having a great week already?

Cheers!

Spotlight on Taylor's "Swift" Affairs:

2013-05-05T17:39:00.002+01:00

Taylor Swift, the 24 year old American-born singer-songwriter has become a phenomenon especially in the area of relationships...*phew*. Her relationships seem to pass-by very "swiftly" and left in the wake of such rude awakenings, she usually compensates herself by making the "culprits" the subjects of her songs. Infact, she has personally stated that her ex-boyfriends are the greatest inspiration for her songs...hehehheeee...
Till date, she has been linked to well over eight (8) guys and here's the duration of some of these affairs starting from the very first:

Joe Jonas (remember him? one of the Jonas Brothers - broke up with her over
the phone: can you beat that?) - July to October 2008 - 3 Months;

Taylor Lautner (the cute, 'Shirtless' werewolf in the Twilight Saga) - October to December 2009 - 2 Months;

John Mayer (American Singer/songwriter) - Late 2009 to Early 2010 - about 3 months;

Jake Gyllenhaal (Cute actor) - October to December 2010 - 2 Months; they broke up and were seen together again in January and February 2011 (still 2 months);

Conor Kennedy (political heir of the American Kennedy family) - July to September 2012- 2 Months;
Harry Styles (a member of the One Direction musical group) - October 2012 to January 2013 - 3 Months.
She had previously been linked to Brandon Borello (whom she had to break up with because he had to go to college), Sam Armstrong (who cheated on her), as well as some guys she crushed on but never actually dated (Adam Young of Owl city and a certain guy called "Drew"), whom she mentioned in her songs
Now, her latest suspected lover, according to "howzit MSN Africa", is British Singer, Ed Sheeran. Their affair is still a rumour, though.

Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.

Talking about being inspired by her break-ups (just like Adele..LOL), here's what we mean:

The song 'Tim McGraw' was inspired by her ex-boyfriend, named Brandon Borello;

'Teardrops on my Guitar' was inspired by Drew;

'Should've Said No' was about Sam Armstrong;

'Forever and Always' was about Joe Jonas;

'Back to December' was about Taylor Lautner (It was an apology to him...apparently, she did the dumping this time);

The songs 'Dear John' and 'I knew you were trouble' were about John Mayer;

'Enchanted' was about Adam Young.

As for Jake Gyllenhaal, his crime seemed to be the greatest because she dedicated five (5) 'amazing' songs to him. The songs are 'We are never ever getting back together', 'State of Grace', 'All too well', 'Girl at home' and 'The Moment I knew'. Hmmm..you may ask: what did her do to deserve all these? Now, I choose to call it the Carrot and Stick attitude: Imagine spending $160,000 to have her flown over for a date in a private jet and later breaking up with her through a text message....text message? Was that all he could do after all the romantic rendezvous? That's another tele-breakup, maybe they are too scared of breaking up with her on face-to-face basis perhaps for the fear of having a broken head....LOL #just saying.

Having said all these, I am really puzzled and wondering: Taylor is beautiful, tall, VERY RICH and looks like a very calm-headed, loyal, faithful sweetheart...but why do her relationships not last beyond 3 (three) months? Are her standards too high? Is she too weird and hard to cope with? (With her fame and fortune, I'd happily cope if I were a guy..LOL); or is she just unlucky with men? Please, don't preempt me, I'm not suggesting she tries the other way....LOL. If she were African and especially Nigerian, her family would have started examining her for "Spiritual Husband" or perhaps, "Spiritual Boyfriend" issues...LOL.

Right now, I can hear someone telling me: But, what is your business in all these? Is it not her life? Mind your business! Yes, Ma, noted but if you were minding yours, you would have stopped reading before this point...LOL. Taylor is a Philanthropist, so I might as well render her a free Counselling session here - yeah, I'm that nice :D; all I'm saying is maybe she should stop dating celebrities and try some 'common man' on the street...don't get me wrong, I do not mean a 'loafer', just a normal guy who is off the spotlight. I love you very much, Taylor dear, but if we try that angle and it does not still exceed the 3-month threshold, then we will seriously consider the spiritual...LOL.

Opinion Re-public: What or Who is your inspiration?

2013-05-05T13:56:00.000+01:00

Often, we hear people say "I'm inspired by God". True, but it is also worthy to note that some people do not share the same view on this subject. Some people are inspired by a cause or causes, some by celebrities or famous personalities, some by an activity or behavioural trait, some by notable quotes, some by their parents, some by their lovers; however, are you aware that some people derive their inspiration from the lifestyles of certain animals? Yes, animals. Well, that's the diversity of the human race...different strokes for different strokes.
So, how about you? Where do you derive your inspiration? Or from whom or what do you derive your inspiration? Share your views.

Opinion Re-public: Divorce - To be considered or not?

2013-05-04T19:08:00.000+01:00

The divorce rate in Nigeria and indeed the rest of the world has become very alarming in recent years.
Why do you think this is so?
Would you ever consider divorce under any circumstance? What are those circumstances? Or do you think marriage is for better and for worse?
Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?
Share your thoughts. Happy Weekend!!!

USA to cancel American DV Visa Lottery

2013-05-04T00:17:00.001+01:00

Africans could be the big losers as the United States reforms its immigration laws and eliminates the green card lottery, of which Africans are the main beneficiaries. Half of the 50,000 residence permits handed out at random each year are earmarked for Africans. It is a hugely popular program that has allowed hundreds of thousands of Africans to settle in America since the mid 1990s. But the ambitious reform project under debate now in Washington, which would provide papers for million undocumented immigrants, contains a clause that would do away with the lottery. In its place would be
a more selective immigration system based on skills, career and family ties. For years the lottery has been in the crosshairs of Republicans, who control the House of Representatives and say it adds no value to the American economy. “It’s clear that there are better ways to allocate visas than to randomly give them out through a lottery system,” said Bob Goodlatte, the Republican who leads the House Judiciary Committee. “Our immigration laws shouldn’t be based on the luck of the draw; rather, they should be designed strategically to benefit our country.” The ‘diversity visa,’ as it is known formally, is set aside for people from countries that do not experience a lot of emigration. So Mexicans, Chinese and Filipinos, for instance, are not eligible. Africans quickly became the main ones to cash in. All applicants need is a high school diploma or two years of work experience. Between 2010 and 2012, one in five Africans who came to the United States to stay did so through the lottery. That made it the third most common method, at 21 percent of the total, after family reunification (43%) and refugee status or By comparison, in the same period only 10 percent of Europeans who became permanent residents and 3% of Asians did so through the lottery.
The diversity visas would vanish starting next year under the reform being negotiated. Only four percent of African immigrants — compared to 21 percent of Asians and 22 percent of Europeans — received a green card for employment reasons in 2012. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People says the number of African immigrants will go down even with the merit-based system. “In essence, we’re concerned,” said Hilary Shelton, the NAACP Washington bureau director. Dame Babou, who hosts a radio show that caters to Senegalese people in New York, said the scrapping of the lottery is disheartening for Africans. “Every year many people thought this was going to be their year,” Babou said. “Again, what is being eliminated is hope.”

Culled from www.ngtrends.com

Wow!!! this is a real shocker, especially to some of us who are regular 'customers' of this programme...LOL. But do you think the Skills-based system will be easily attainable? But wait o! Where una dey run go sef? Who are you leaving this country for? America, una do well... :p :-D *dodging slaps*.... LOL...

Opinion Re-public: Legalization of Same-sex relationships - make it happen or blow it away?

2013-05-03T17:58:00.001+01:00

This is a new segment on our blog. Share your thoughts on the topic.
There have been lots of debates, rants and chats on this issue; so, let's read your views. You never know the impact your opinion will have in determining the outcome of this debate in the long run.
So feel free to state it the way you feel, give reasons for your standpoint; remember, you are entitled to your opinion and 'talk' on this blog, is entirely free.
Cheers!!!

Rain! Rain!! Rain!!! Weather for Two

2013-05-03T17:36:00.004+01:00

We have all heard about, witnessed and often talk about 'Rain'. Rain is defined by Wikipedia as liquid water in the form of droplets that have condensed from atmospheric water vapor and then precipitated—that is, become heavy enough to fall under gravity. Well, pardon me but this definition sounds like it can only be understood by Geologists and other Scientists. What the lay man knows about rain is that it's water that falls from the sky...some people would say it's God's Showers of Blessings from Heaven. However, we are not in this discourse to define rain but the significance of rain to people.
To the Farmer, rain represents a vital part of his work as it will ensure that his crops germinate and produce the harvest he desires.
To Traditionalists, rain may signify some other things; don't ask me oooo, I'm
not a Native doctor :P Lol.
To a lot of Children, oh the mind of children, it's a time to play around and perhaps, sleep. The factor of sleep also applies to some adults.
However, something really bothers me and it relates to the way some of my fellow young peeps and even some elderly people view rainfall. Hmmm...while some people are thinking of productive things to do with rainfall, when it's raining, some of us pick up our phones to update the following: "Cuddling things", "Sweet rain, awwww, I miss my boo *sad face*", "Wow! Rain, rain! at times like this, I feel like...*winks*", "Rain Rain! Chilling with Le Boo, DND", and the commonest of them all, "Weather for two".....hahahahahahaaaa. And it's often said that the rate of pregnancy is higher during the rainy season than during other seasons...yes, you know why that is so..LOL.
The reason I'm hammering on this issue is because the rains are here again and will be around for a few months to come. So, the question is: how will you spend the rainy days? For me, the best time to sleep is when it's raining; it could also be the best time to read and if the network permits, surf the net and keep yourself updated. The "weather for two moments" should be reserved for married couples. I'm not preaching, just stating the fact. Yes, I agree that the rain comes with cold and the temptation "to do" (don't ask me what "to do" means o...LOL) but you must be careful not to take an action you will regret later. Remember, no rainfall lasts forever, it may just last for 2 hours and the next minute, the sun starts blazing. If you are too cold, cover yourself with a duvet; if you don't have it, buy one now or borrow..LOL. Don't be too keen on cuddling because just like every introduction, to cuddle is a preamble to "doing"....mmmhh mhhhh (clears throat), I'm sure we all understand. Be wise!!!

Welcome back

2013-05-03T16:47:00.001+01:00

Hey lovely people, it feels really great to be back with the buzz. I've been away for a program but I'm glad I'm done and back. I promise not to stay off for so long anymore.
Hmmm....let's resume our jolly-good ride.
Welcome back, everyone and lest I forget, Happy New Year in arrears :) :D

Miss Universe 2012...A convergence of beauty, fashion and more beauty

2012-12-20T15:42:00.002+01:00

Just to let you know that The 2012 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant was held last night in the USA at the Planet Hollywood Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. It is worthy to note that contestants in every Miss Universe Pageant cannot have been married or have children and must be younger than 27 and older than 18 by Feb. 1 of the competition year.

The battle for this year's crown was fiercely fought by 89 beauty queens from all around the world but the beauty warlord that thrashed the rest was the adorable and very charming Miss USA, who goes by the name, Olivia Culpo (that babe sure has some Latin American blood....It's all in the face....Lovely).

Miss Nigeria,
oh sorry, Miss Philippines, Janine Tugonon, came in second, while Miss Venezuela, Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, placed third. Meanwhile, the crown was handed over to Culpo by the outgoing Miss Universe, Leila Lopes from Angola (beautiful Leila...oops).

All the contestants spent the past two weeks in Sin City, where they posed in hardhats at a hotel groundbreaking, took a painting lesson, and pranked hotel guests by hiding in their rooms.

Culpo was the first Miss USA winner from Rhode Island when she took the national crown in Las Vegas in June and her coronation ends a long losing spell for the U.S. in the competition co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC. An American had not won the right to be called Miss Universe since Brook Lee won the title in 1997 (Really?...wow! who would have expected that?).

Culpo was good enough during preliminary competitions to be chosen as one of 16 semifinalists who moved on to compete in the pageant's finale. Her bid lasted through swimsuit, evening wear, and interview competitions that saw cuts after each round.

She won over the judges, even after tripping slightly during the evening gown competition. Telecasters pointed it out but also noted her poised recovery.

Minutes before the middle child of five was crowned, she was asked whether she had she had ever done something she regretted.

"I'd like to start off by saying that every experience no matter what it is, good or bad, you'll learn from it. That's just life," she said. "But something I've done I've regretted is probably picking on my siblings growing up, because you appreciate them so much more as you grow older."

As Miss Universe, Culpo will receive an undisclosed salary, a wardrobe fit for a queen, a limitless supply of beauty products, and a luxury apartment in New York City.

Culled from Huffington Post

*You go fear!!! Congratulations, beautiful Olivia. Next year shall be the turn of a Nigerian. All in support, say 'Aye'....LOL!*

Christmas Combat...Guard yourself jealously

2012-12-20T15:02:00.003+01:00

Hi folks, the Yuletide season is around the corner, once again. I take it for a fact that all Christians (and non-Christians alike) know what that the reason for the season is Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the occasion of His Birth.

For most non-Christians however, it is a holiday season, to be shared with family and friends; this is because it comes towards the end of the year.

Christmas generally, is a time to Thank God for His numerous gifts to us, and to share love with family, friends and the less-privileged. People travel from far and wide to be with their loved ones and to visit relatives, whom they do not see frequently. The period, being the end of the year, is also a time for conscious intro and retrospection; a time to analyse our activities and achievements for the year-ending and resolutions for the coming year. Talking about new year resolutions, we'll leave it as a discussion for another day. We also know that lots of Weddings, Anniversaries and other parties take place during this period and from all these diverse events, certain issues have evolved.

During this period, some people feel the pressure to impress people; they may have toiled throughout the year
without making meaningful progress and knowing that Christmas is around the corner and they would have to return home to visit relatives, they enter into what I have captioned 'Christmas Combat'. It's an attitude of 'making it by hook or crook' so as to return home in flamboyant fashion. This attitude is the reason there are numerous vices during this period (kidnapping, ritual-killing, robbery, etc). Some people also over-work themselves in a bid to 'meet up' and end up endangering their lives.

For some ladies, their bodies are the sacrificial objects, used to extract money from men, in order to buy scintillating clothing and other exotic items, which would make them stand-out during Christmas. Some ladies struggle to travel to high-class holiday resorts in Asia and the Caribbean, in order to snap cute shots for public display on BBM, facebook, whatsapp, tumbler, twitter, etc, all in a bid to seem 'happening'. A lot of ladies have ended-up wrongly through such unhealthy pursuit. Who is fooling who?

The main reason for this 'pressure to impress' is because some of these people tell false stories to relatives/friends about their financial standings and when push comes to shove, they realize they need to 'live up to expectations'. Such an attitude could be suicidal because of the possible, pressure-induced 'high-blood pressure'.

While we celebrate this season, let us ponder over the following:
This is just a 'season', meaning that before you blink, it's over, and January comes; The Christmas period doesn't last beyond 11 days, that is, counting from today (the 20th), when the main rush starts.

This season comes yearly. Some people may argue that life is not assured so you have to make the best of what you have. I agree but I bet, you must witnessed at least, ten Christmas seasons since you were born (that is, assuming you were 10 years old), and the years keep rolling-by. What you cannot make-up for this year, strive to do next year. Faith and Hope are the keys!

Be scared of January: After all the fairy-tale, lavish Christmas jamboree, January presents the reality-check. January is the month of school fees, payment of debts incurred during Christmas, etc; therefore, it is no longer news that January is a month of austerity, where people (especially workers) have to manage on Christmas crumbs until salaries are paid by month-end and business people have to hustle to make-up for what was used during Christmas.

Now, imagine if you had to live within your means and celebrate Christmas for what the season stands for. Imagine what would happen if a person died while trying to impress; these same relatives/friends he/she was trying to impress could observe a sober Christmas (as a mark of respect and sadness over the loss of a dear one) but before next Christmas, their lives would have returned to absolute normalcy and by next Christmas, they would be partying hard on his/her anniversary. Every time of the year is a good time to show love and lavish money and gifts on loved ones, no rule says the one for Christmas time should be exceptional. Cut your coat according to your cloth.
Do not get entrapped in the Christmas combat. Guard your life jealously against anxiety and against anxious fellows. #enoughsaid!
Think about these things!!!
Merry Christmas.