Le Dynamique Professeur

Dead Already... Are you?

2012-01-19T01:49:00.000-08:00

On the fifth day of November, 2008, history had its wheels in another direction as a result of a man's dreams. In the face of oppositions, accusations and doubts, the platform of greatness beckoned - the dream of a black man in the famous white house; the hope of the minority becoming a cynosure. It was unheard of but it soon became registered in the history books. Barrack Obama became the president of the United States of America. And on that fateful day, he uttered these words, "while we breath, we hope and while we live, we dream".

Show me a dead man and I will show you a man who's resigned to hopelessness. Some people have killed themselves even though they are still alive. A life without faith and hope is dead even while he walks the streets of the community. For to live is to hope; to survive is to keep faith. Reminds of a story I read in my bible, about 4 lepers in a famine-stricken city. They were already outcasts in the city and so were locked outside the gates of the city. After perhaps months of famine without food and hope of survival, they asked themselves a pertinent question, "Why are we sitting here until we die?"

Beloved, let me ask you the same question... Why have you decided to sit with hopelessness and dine with depression? Why have you allowed thoughts of suicide and failure strip you of your glorious destiny? Because you have failed countless times before doesn't mean you will continue failing. That you have been disappointed severally, doesn't mean you stand no chance of a "happy ever after" life.

I was telling you about the lepers; guess what? They made a moved forward! This time into the camp of their own enemies. There, they met the biggest surprise of their lives; their enemies had left their camps leaving all their possessions. The lepers suddenly became the millionaires of their time. Dearly beloved, "to live is to hope; to survive is to make faith your closest ally".

Caught Off Guard

2012-01-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

After years of working for Bronze Bank, on the 4th of January, Ezekiel was handed a letter relieving him of his duties with the bank. It was unexpected as he thought he was a priceless asset to the company. The letter reads, "Dear Mr Ezekiel, the company is currently going through a phase of restructuring and as such, the board of trustees have decided to relieve some people of their respective jobs. We regret to annouce to you that you are one of them. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support over the years. We wish you the best in your future endeavour".

What was not written in the letter above is the fact that throughout Ezekiel's span of 15 years at Bronze bank, he had not added feather to his crown. He was so caught up in the comfort and seeming security of his job that he made no attempt to develop himself either academically or professionally. He was merely counting on the experience he was gaining at the company.

Beloved, may I appeal to you through this medium to never be too comfortable with where you are! In life, those who are too comfortable are often caught off guard! Often times, they are victims of change! And you know something about change? It is inevitable. Change may delay but it'd certainly come and when it comes, sometimes, like a flood, it carts away people and their properties with it.

If you are yet to make a resolution for this year, make this one! Rise above the flood this year by refusing to too comfortable where you are. Start doing something to increase your value. Let it not be that you will be at the same level you were in 2011 by the end of 2012. Do something about your career! Do something about your marriage! Go for a course! Challenge yourself to another degree! Read more books! Complete that course you have taken a break from all these while. Learn another trade! Aim for another certificate! simply put, DEVELOP YOURSELF!

Thanks for reading... Blessings :)

- Le Dynamique Professeur

picture from here

I AM GRATEFUL!

2012-01-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

In the United States, there is a day specially dedicated to thanksgiving. In my opinion, I think a day in a year is just not enough for thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, I believe, should be part and parcel of us. Our days, weeks, months and year, should not end without we counting our blessings and giving thanks for the privilege to call those blessings ours.

I for one, ended the year 2011 on a thankful note. I started the year with lots of issues. It was as though things wouldn't work out. Till the middle of the year, nothing much had changed. It was as though I would end the year on a sad note. But just towards the end of the year, I began experiencing the miraculous. Things just began taking a new turn. I bought a car. I got a scholarship. I moved house. Even my parents shared in blessings of this sort too. We all ended the year with so much joy in our hearts, no regrets.

It's the 4th of January in New Zealand and I may not be aware of what 2012 is looking like for you. Perhaps it's looking like you may not even see the end of it. Maybe things are just getting tougher by the day and thanksgiving isn't a pill for the swallow at the moment.

May I implore you, this is the best time to count your blessings. This is the moment where thanksgiving makes more sense than being depressed. It is the right season to sit in reflection of the good times and give thanks. Change is imminent, but its better side only comes to those who wait in thanksgiving.

On this note, I want to thank you all (fans and readers of Le Dynamique Professeur) for 2011. Sincerely, without you, this blog wouldn't be exisiting in the first place. Without your consistent and perpetual support, I perhaps would have been discouraged and this blog would have become history. I want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You made the list of my many blessings because you are indeed a blessing to me.

On behalf of myself and my fiancee (Blessing Agbaje), we would like to wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Keep supporting Le Dynamique Professeur!

picture from here

Your Attitude is a Magnet

2011-12-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

In the past few weeks, I've been on the quest to know more about how my attitude can influence my life and everything around it. What I came up with has been quite amazing. Coming to terms with the fact that my attitude is my choice and not a by-product of my environment or what people say about me, is empowering me to live life with full consciousness and intent. A particular discovery that struck me is what I am about to share with you; your attitude is a magnet: it attracts or repels. I am sure you would be interested to know the things your attitude is capable of attracting or repelling. Follow me on this quest.

1. Your attitude attracts others of similar mindset.

What many of us do not know is that most of our close associates were attracted to us because of our attitudes. If you are a very joyful, always happy kind of person, you are likely to attract people of similar attitude. However, if you are the always bitter or angry type, be sure the people you would have around you are people that would fuel this nature and attitude of yours. Have you been around people who are always bitter? Always angry at everything and nothing in particular? Do you feel like staying a minute longer around them?

2. Your attitude attracts people's decision to honour and serve you.

Have you met people who though they are much older than you, yet lack good attitude? Do you feel a sense of respect towards them in anway? No! I don't feel any need to respect people with this kind of attitude. And if I do, its just for the sake of it. It doesn't come naturally! Naturally, humans attracted to serving others with a good attitude. It is almost as simple as that!

3. Your attitude can take you where your gifts and talents won't!

If you are a fan of the Xfactor America show, you are likely to have seen one of my favourites of the show - ASTRO the other day. Despite his originality and natural talent, his wrong attitude (of arrogance like that of a brat) almost got him off the show. I am of the opinion that if he continues with that attitude, he'd have a lot of struggles making it to the top. You may be better than others at something but you need character to retain that position!

4. Your attitude attracts loses or gains in any venture.

Ask a salesperson, he/she will tell you how important one's attitude is to clinching a deal. You may be good at marketing the product to the buyer but your character may be a yardstick to the eventual sale of the product; consequently, your gain or loss. You can win a friend through your attitude just as much as you can lose a valuable person in your life.

I'd stop here now and continue later in the part II with a few more points. Remember, your attitude is a magnet. The goodnews is, you have a choice over the attitude you exude!

Thanks for reading.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

Photo from here

Different but not Disadvantaged

2011-11-22T02:03:00.001-08:00

Ever felt you are being looked down upon because of one reason or the other?

Ever felt like some people think you don't count?

Have you ever been somewhere someone is looking for a solution and they approached everyone else but you?

Just a week back, there was a small problem where I work. The big boss was not around and so, this urgent problem had no one else to be referred to but the rest of us present at the office. Something funny happened that inspired this post. I discovered, every other person in the office (that knew or did not know about that problem) was approached safe for my humble self. No one seemingly cared whether I had an idea or not. After they'd tried everything and no solution was forthcoming, I just decided to check what they were struggling with. To their amazement, it's an issue I deal with almost every day at school. Within a few minutes, I offered the solution to the problem. I then questioned, why was I not approached in the first place?

I then began the analysis in my head; Could it be because I am only a part timer? Could it be because I am a student and the rest are full time workers? Could it be because I have a different skin colour? I had a lot of "could it bes" in my head. Truth is, all these may be true about me; as in, I may be a part timer, student or different in terms of my skin colour but that doesn't make me disadvantaged; does it?

Are you reading this today and it seem like people just don't see you as 'good enough'? Or it is like whenever recommendations are being made, you are hardly deem fit, not because you have not been doing well but just because you are just 'different'. I am here to encourage you: DO NOT BE MOVED! Whoever is seeing you as disadvantaged is the one missing out on the solution to their problems, not you. Very soon, they will bite their fingers cos they'd come to the realization that they've wasted a lot of time running helter skelter when the solution to their problem is right there with them.

Should everyone around you despise you, do not despise yourself. Should they think you are not good enough, don't join them in such thoughts. Even if they think you are inferior, make no mistake to think the same because you may be different but that doesn't make you inferior. You may have a different skin colour but that doesn't make you any less intelligent. You may have come from a very lowly background, that doesn't make you a pauper at heart. Listen, you are a solutions carrier and you must see yourself that way! In fact, your difference is an evidence you are unique and you have within you unique and uncommon ideas. You may be different but you are not disadvantaged!

Thanks for reading :)

- Le Dynamique Professeur

THE RECORD BOOKS

2011-11-09T01:58:00.000-08:00

I moved house recently and I stumbled on some documents. So many that I perhaps would no longer have need of most of them in the future but a few still hold memoirs of giant strides. Mere setting my eyes on them somewhat lifted my spirit. Somehow I was gingered and inspired about my current phase of life. Precisely, I happen to stumble on my Masters dissertation and as I flipped the pages, I couldn't help but believe again! You see, I am currently writing up my thesis and I think I needed something to remind me that I have the capacity to produce a high quality thesis just the same way I did produce a publishable Masters dissertation as the document eventually became a journal publication in a referred international journal.

The experience of those few minutes as I unpack some stuffs and repack others became more than just a house-moving exercise. I found inspiration for my current journey. I was able to count my blessings! I could never have imagined the impact of seeing my old dissertation on my current programme. I tell you, since that day, I've been going steady, not without challenges but I've been inspired the more. I was able to send a chapter for my supervisors to review and things are beginning to take shape. That simple experience inspired this post.

There are times in our lives when it appears we've lost faith in ourselves and what we can do. Situations and circumstances may have crowded our minds that we'd begin thinking of ourselves as lacking ability to do exploits. We relegate ourselves as though we've never had stories of triumph in the past. Beloved, if that's your current situation, I implore you to take the records books again. Go sit on the shores of a beach, feel the cool breeze and reflect on things you've achieved in the past. If you are like me, go into your folders and bring out certificates, past assessments grade slips and so on. Don't just count your blessings, make them count. A way to do this is to find inspiration and motivation in them for greater exploits.

I assure you, something inside of you will rise up to your current challenge. I have no doubt, you'd be poised to believe in yourself again! People who declare themselves fed up of life are those who never look back to count their blessings. Some of those people end up committing suicide or just end up in snare of depression. Are you having some challenges in your relationship? I implore you, take the records books and think on the good side. Are you feeling like you can't complete that course; more like the stress is beginning to strangle you? Get back to your accolades of the past and count your blessings. Are you out of job and it seem like you've done all possible and there is seems to be no way out? Have a seat on the couch, allow yourself a few minutes of reflection on how you got your past jobs and let hope swell up from within yet again. I tell you, change is around the corner for you if you won't give up on yourself.

Have a swell month! Thanks for reading.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

Picture from here

Multiplying Effect

2011-10-20T02:47:00.000-07:00

In the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity of doing some body building exercise. Every time I stepped into the gym, I learn one or two things on how to get my muscles bigger and perhaps stronger. My goals are broader chest and shoulders, bigger arms and tighter abs. My instructor taught me something in the course of attaining these goals and they include: 1. The more stress you put on your muscles, the bigger and stronger they become; 2. Try to eat more, healthy and learn to rest well. What I've found most fascinating is the first point. No muscle in the body is a waste. They become a waste when they lie dormant; that is, when we fail to use them.

During the week, I was thinking deeply and I gathered that it's just the same with the rest of our body. No part of our body is useless except for the ones we fail to use. In other words, there is a multiplying effect in strength, agility, ability that comes on anything we refuse to let lie dormant! Where am I going with this illustration? TALENTS! Yes, our talents are like muscles in the body. When we fail to explore, exploit or put to use our talents, they will lie dormant and ultimately follow us to our graves untapped.

Just like some people have got small muscles and they think it is impossible for them to grow bigger, some people think they have few or no talents at all; as such, they are a waste to their generation. I am here to tell you that every man, woman or child has a talent. Guess what? If you put to use your talent, you will get even more! However, if you fail to put to use that one talent you have, you are likely to die unknown. Stop your wishful thinking of, "I wish I have the kind of talents 'so and so' has, I would shake this generation". My friend, start shaking this generation with that one you have! Quit wishing... start acting.

It's my third week at the gym and I'm beginning to see changes. My arms are getting bigger. My muscles are getting stronger. I tell you, I can now feel my chest and shoulders expanding. The results of putting my muscles to work are beginning to excite me. It reminds me of when I thought I was a bad singer. Somehow, I got to learn how to play the keyboard. I developed my keyboard skills and straight off, that multiplied into me not only becoming an enviable singer but a good song writer as well. I tell you, everything you know how to do, get them out of where you've relegated them to. Begin using them and I assure you, they have a multiplying effect. I once believed I speak more than I could write. I thought the only gift I had was public speaking but I as soon as I continued putting to use my speaking ability, my writings became better and as I continued writing, I am getting better; and even moving on to diverse forms of writing like poetry, academic writing and so on.

Anything you use, has a multiplying effect! What you don't use, has a zero effect. No wonder Myles Munroe said, "the richest place on earth is the graveyard, because many have died with their potentials untapped". Refuse to die loaded! Be determined to give your all to this generation and the ones to come. You don't need a thousand talent to start with. You do not need even two start with; all you need it that one that you have! If you think you have none, you are just yet to discover it. Always remember, what you put to use has a multiplying effect! The more stress, the better!

Thanks for reading.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

THINK AGAIN!

2011-10-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

Chris got to the interview room and his nerves got the better part of him. The look on the face of the panelists didn't seem convincing against his several attempts to make it past that stage. He got out of the interview room totally gutted. He concluded, "that's it. I am never going to get that job!" Two weeks later, He got a letter from the company saying, "Congratulations Mr Chris. We are pleased to offer you... as you were the only applicant for that position". Chris couldn't believe his stars. There were 50 other interviewees seated in the waiting room that day. Unknown to him however, they all applied for different position and none of them was in competition for the one he applied for.

It's amazing how we make conclusions on some issues in our lives. I am a football fan and I have seen games where I had completely lost faith in my team's survival and to my utmost amazement, they came back into the game and sometimes, even ended up winning. Who am I to make conclusions on the success and failure of another or even myself? I have come to discover in life, it is important to wait till the final whistle is blown before calling it quit. Some people have committed suicide at the nick of their life's breakthrough, only for some unidentified persons to inherit their sweat.

Think about the number of times in your life when you've felt like calling it quit and look at where you are today? If you do a mathematical analysis of those events, I am sure you would arrive at the conclusion that you were wrong even trying to quit before the final whistle. It's a season of students' assessment again for me this semester and one of my students sent me an email recently that reads, "Sam, it's the last day we're allowed to drop this course. I don't feel I did particularly well in the first assessment because I made a lot of mistakes. Would just like to know when we'd be getting our grades for the first assignment anyway". My reply, "[put her name here], from my records, you are in a pretty good standing and should you quit this course, you end up regretting a great deal. I'd advise you stay on, keep working hard on the rest of the assignments towards your final exams and I am sure you'd smile at last." Unknown to the student, despite her numerous mistakes, she still made a B, which in our school grading is 70%.

So, who are you to call it quit on yourself? Who are you to make conclusions on your efforts before the final whistle? If you are too quick to quit, you'll always be quick to bite your finger. The quest for success is a journey, not a destination. Though we fall in our strides, it should not be our call to quit till our dying day! Already making conclusions about your life's shortcomings, mistakes, hurts, pains, failures, wrongs, errors, falls? THINK AGAIN!

Picture from here

MY RESOLVE

2011-09-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

When the wind blows and the rain descends

He is not long shaken by financial Collapse

Or catastrophe.

It is only the poverty minded that jump out

of the windows when they lose everything.

The wealthy person cannot lose his wealth.

His wealth is infinitely portable,

For it resides in his head

There lies his only security

- Robert G. Allen

In life there are two kinds of people; winners and quitters. There is no sitting on the fence here. It's either you are a resolved winner or a complete loser. Winners are those with a realization that quitting is for cowards. They don't get discouraged even though situations may look hopeless. They still hope because they are aware, it is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. Even in trying times, they don't quit trying! I got to read about the post-it story recently and it fueled my resolve.

Arthur Fry always kept losing his paperwork. He was a failure at organizing things properly such that he was never able to keep track of the notes which he wrote himself. One day he discovered that his company, 3M, had invented a glue which couldn't stick very well. In other words, a glue that failed! It could only hold a piece of paper to something which could also be easily peeled off. Because Fry wouldn't give up, he believed something could come out of the failed glue. Suddenly he realized, the failed glue was exactly what he needed to put all his notes in nice order. That was the idea he later presented to his company, popularly referred to as Post-it®. For the idea, Fry for 1% of the sale for life. Annually, 3M sells over US$100million worth of Post-it. I'd leave you to do the math.

Failure is simply defined as "I quit!" The path of an abject failure is often characterized by ceaseless quit junctures. The reason is because he has mastered the art of throwing in the towel at the sight of every challenge. Sadly, the world no longer has time for failures. In the words of Henry Fodsick, "the world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it". IBM's Thomas Watson was once asked if he was going to fire an employee who made a mistake that cost IBM $600,000. He replied, "you must be joking! I just spent $600,000 training him. Why would I want somebody to hire his experience?" I love the words Henry Ford when he said, "I am looking for men who have an infinite capacity to NOT know what can't be done".

Oh, I want to be one of such men. I don't know about you, but for me, I have made a resolve to never be a quitter. I have resolved that failure will never get the best of me. I have resolved never to walk the path of an abject failure. I have also resolved never to be in the circus of quitters. Oh, I have resolved not to quit trying even in trying times... Beloved, this is my RESOLVE; what is yours?

Le Dynamique Professeur | Twitter @Dynamiqueprof

Image from here | Story from DARE to FAIL by Billi P.S. Lam

NO WAY AROUND IT!

2011-09-11T04:29:00.000-07:00

How I wish...
My certificate should just be given to me as gift
That promotion would just come to me; just like that!
Marriage isn't this much work
Life's just a bed of roses...

In the twenty something years I've spent on this planet, I can beat my chest that I am not the only one that has thought along those lines up there. Yes, I am not weird. If you have thought along these lines at one time or the other, I am sure you're either nodding your head or smiling right now. Many a times we wish things came very easy while we just sit back, relax and watch them happen. Just imagine, would life be interesting if we're all in possession of a magical flask or ball that brings out every of our wishes? Wouldn't life be boring and perhaps not worth living?

Sadly, none of us is in possession of a magic ball. As they say, if wishes were horses, all men would ride. Living in a world of wishes without work, is like living in one's dreams without getting up. One day, one would find oneself being welcome to hell for doing nothing! Yes, wishes produces NOTHING without actions. Should you have beautiful wishes, be ready to take off your wishful cap once a while and use your hands. Verily I say unto you, in life, there is no way around HARD WORK! Even if you are lucky enough to have inherited wealth from your parents, I can assure you, it's soon gone if you don't work hard enough to keep it.

Someone said, "hard work beats talent when talents doesn't work hard"; true isn't it?

Hard work is a pill that helps check the headache of life's several challenges. One surest path to sustaining wealth, fame, affluence, influence, success or fulfillment is HARD WORK. There is no way around it, not even luck. Even when people want to help you, they'd be looking to see your track record of hard work, to be sure they are not investing in an empty venture. I tell you, one good choice you can make is that of hard work. Have you not heard; heaven helps those who help themselves, not those who sit around waiting only for manner to fall from the skies. Even the bible says, "no food for a lazy man". I can tell you confidently that God rewards hard work.

I formed an acronym for HARD, which I believe is not exhaustive but gives a representation of my thoughts around hard work.

H-Humility: We must humbly take pride in what we do. Don't you ever be ashamed of your work. With humility, seek to improve yourself either by learning from others or trying to bring the best out of yourself.
A-Attitude: Nothing can replace or substitute for a good attitude. You have it, you thrive; you don't have it, you lose! It is almost that simple.
R-Resilience: Hardly does anything in life come without opposition. You must be resilient to see your work pay off, in the face of ardent opposition.
D-Devotion: You only get better at what you devote yourself and your life to. Practice, they say, makes perfect. If you want to excel in life, then you must excel in practice.

Thanks for reading once again. Your thoughts are welcome.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

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The Shoulder of Giants - LDP & Segun Akiode

2011-08-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

I know it all
So much I could barely fall
Seem like I could reach everything
Well built, nothing seem too big
Embedded with such grace like an angel
Yet, I can only do little with much

Can't possibly fathom
How all these won't get me all
All that I wish and ask for
My heart cry, so loud
Wonder why its inaudible
Why am I in this all by myself?

It then occurred to me
I can only do so much
Yet so little without a hand
I can only move all my strength can bear
Yet so few without help
For where my many talents won't get me
I need a fellow... Yes, I do.

- LDP
========================================
I’ve got talent! Yes, I sing beautifully; I dance excellently; No one can play that musical instrument the way I do. Wait a minute; is talent all it takes to succeed in life? John C. Maxwell had a perfect answer to that question in his classic book - Talent Is Never Enough; “Talent is often overrated and frequently misunderstood”. When people achieve great things, others often explain their accomplishments by simply attributing everything to talent. But that is a false and misleading way of looking at success. If talent alone is enough, then why do you and I know highly talented people who are not highly successful?

Let’s consider that question for a while; there are many talented people around us who are not highly successful; many with talents die without the world knowing anything about them. They fail to show the world their talents. While there are many factors that contribute to this state, this post is solely aimed at highlighting one very important factor in the equation of making your talent visible for all to benefit from – People! Of a truth - Where your talent won't take you; People can!

Let’s take a peep at two examples:

Tiger Woods: We all know Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods right? He is the most successful golfer of all time! What about Earl Woods? I can guess, only a few know or perhaps have even heard of him. Earl Woods is Tiger Woods’ father, he was a very good amateur golfer but he helped his son become the most successful golfer of all time! Earl knew his son had great potential to play golf so he introduced him to golf at a very early age of two. Also, Earl Woods had researched in detail the career accomplishments of Jack Nicklaus (the golf legend at that time), and had set his young son the goals of breaking those records. Did Tiger break those records? As they say, the rest is history. You can Google it right away!

Lionel Messi: We all know Lionel Andries “Leo” Messi right? No argument about his identity, I guess. Lionel Messi is considered one of the best footballers of his generation. But, is Lionel Messi the most talented footballer? Many would argue he is; but is he? I must add, there are more talented footballers than Messi but they are not known. Why is Messi world renowned? The answer - FC Barcelona! Messi began playing football at the age of 5 and his potential was quickly identified by Barcelona. In year 2000, he moved with his family to Europe, as Barcelona offered treatment for his growth hormone deficiency. “Are you serious? Messi the great had a growth hormone deficiency?” Yes, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency at age 11, but thanks to Carles Rexach, the sporting director of FC Barcelona for giving him a life-line! Barcelona offered to pay for Messi's medical bills if he was willing to move to Spain. Messi and his father moved to Barcelona and the rest, as they say, is history.

The examples cited may have come from a similar field of life – sports, not because I have any bias for sports but because the essence of this post can be clearly seen from them. Each of the examples shows one singular constant factor – People! My friend, Where your talent won't take you; People can!

Why this whole epistle, you may ask… It is so that we recognize that people are the bridges our talents must go through on its way to limelight. People are the wheels on which our talents ride to stardom. People are the very essence of celebrities in our society. We call them celebrities because people celebrate them and/or their talents. If you disregard people in your life, you will never be celebrated. I’d conclude with the words of Issac Newton, "If I have been able to see further, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants." Go forth and find your own Giant shoulder to stand on, I mean for where my many talents won't get me, I need a fellow... Yes, I do.

- Segun Akiode

Photo from here

That look in your eyes...

2011-08-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

Like a bunch of wool over a thread
A deep dark cloud threatened
poisoning the little life I have left
Deeply hurting, bleeding within

No companion, not even a shadow
I looked around, fear beckoned
"This is where it ends", says a gallows
No way forward from here, I reckoned

From nowhere, a ray of hope
Staring at me, right in the eye
with a smile like that of the pope
whispered, "the look in your eyes..."
© Samuel Ekundayo LDP

Have you ever wondered the look in your eyes in times of danger? Ever imagined the look in your eyes at times when you're in trouble and it was like the world's crashing down on you? You know, that look in your eyes... How was it like? Maybe you're going through some tough times right now; you sure can tell the look in your eyes. How is it like?

I remember a time in my life when I had to pay my school fees. It was a few thousand dollars that I had no idea where I was going to get it from. It was also glaring that if I could not pay it, it was the end of my PhD journey. The look in my eyes said it all. I was afraid. As the deadline drew near and it appeared there was no more hope of securing funds to pay the fees, I cringed like a coward at the war front. On some days, I felt like peeing even when I had just visited the toilet. On other days, I felt like the end had come. Ever had this feeling?

Do you know that in every seemingly cloudy situation, there is a ray of sunshine waiting to burst out? Do you know after the rain comes sunshine? After the night, comes the day with the brightness of an horizon as beautiful as the morning star. Amidst whatever you are passing through, no matter how tough, do you know what you choose to see is what you get? That was what I meant by "the look in your eyes." Don't you ever give up hope in the face of danger. Until it is over, it is not yet over. Until the final whistle, the game is still on. Keep your faith and hope alive. Yes, you can choose to smile in the face of trouble. Hope can help change the look in your eyes... Hope can brighten your day even though you're feeling heavy on the inside. Oh, that look in your eyes...

In every disaster, is a star you can choose to see

In every giant opposing you, is an 'ant' you can choose to see

In every impossibility is a sight for possibility that you have a choice to embrace

In every failure is a lure to the winning side, if you choose to see it that way.

I'd conclude this post with the Merriam Webster's definition of the word, HOPE - "to desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it."

Oh, that look in your eyes... How is it like after reading this?

- Le Dynamique Professeur

Picture from here

Your life as a Magnetic field

2011-08-09T05:18:00.000-07:00

My thoughts this week have been around the magnetic field. I went into physics and did a search on the magnetic field to see if there is a lesson or two to be learned from it. I discovered a few things I couldn't wait to share with you as they have been of inspiration to me as well. A magnetic field is a field produced by moving electric charges. In other words, for a magnetic field to be, 'motion' and 'charge' are paramount. The Magnetic field at any point in time is specified by both a direction and a magnitude (or Strength). Now, these are the focal points of this post - MAGNITUDE AND DIRECTION.

See your life as a Magnetic field. For your life to have meaning; for your efforts to be productive, your life must have magnitude and direction. Without magnitude and direction, a field cannot be said to be magnetic. In fact, it becomes inconsequential. I will liken magnitude to 'strength', 'passion', zeal, enthusiasm. I will also liken direction to vision, focus and perhaps ambition. Life, truly is meaningless without these things. We must never at a point in our lives be without them. I've written quite a lot about how our lives must have magnitude and direction but on this post, I'd be talking about the people that makes up our 'field'.

Once upon a time in my life, most of my friends were passionate lover of football. Nothing wrong in that; however, most of them had dreams of playing professional football. Without much ado, I started to dream about playing professional football too. I wanted to play for Arsenal and Real Madrid real bad. There was also a time when I moved with a class of really ambitious people. Some who wanted to be doctors, others lawyers, petroleum engineers and so on. Before I knew it, they ignited an energy within me that that challenged my thoughts about my ambitions and future. Why am I saying this? Listen, your association can determine your life's acceleration. If you're stalk with a bunch of people who lack a sense of purpose, very soon, you're soon going to join in.

It is essential that your field contains people of like magnitude and direction. If your field is filled with people who are either not going in the direction you're going or lack zeal and passion, you're soon gone in the race of life. The people we move with are important for our successes because when we're fainting, they could be the source of our motivation; when we're losing track, they could be the help we need to get back on track; when we're down, their zeal can lift us up. Ensure you are always in the company of people that are zealous about life and its purpose thereof. Form associates with men and women of like passion; men and women of zeal; people who know where they are going and are doing all they can to get there.

Form a magnetic field of genuinely ambitious and passionate people.

Picture from here

- Le Dynamique Professeur

5 Things you must know about the ...Right Track

2011-08-01T04:15:00.000-07:00

Picture from here

Have you ever asked yourself; "am I on the right track?". I mean, do you try from time to time to do a check on yourself as to whether you are on the right path for your life? This check is very important because, "the world has the habit of making room for the man whose actions show that he knows where he is going" - Napoleon Hill. If you don't know where you're going, only the foolish or the blind will follow you. While there are several ways to know if you're on the right or wrong track, in this post, I'd only be talking about 5 things you must know about staying on the right track. It is my desire that after reading, you would pick one or two things that would help on your journey.

When you're on the right track:

1. There is peace and contentment within.

If there is anything important to any man, I feel its that inner peace that assures you, all is well. When you're doing something or on a path leading somewhere, and your heart doesn't seem to be quite settled, I tell you, you need to stop or pause for a check. I mean, when you're on the right track, even if you're faced with challenges and troubles, you'd still feel this peace on your inside that you'd not be able to explain.

2. The beginning might not be easy but the end...

Sincerely, the right path for your life is a path full of resistance. It's like a Rose growing amongst thorns. I always say, "for every seed of greatness, there are thorns to fight its growth". The only path you'd have it all appearing extra easy is when you're on the wrong track. Resistance will come and you'd need determination, courage, will, tough choices, resilience to make it through. In the end, it'd be all worth it.

3. People will celebrate you

People are called celebrities because the world is celebrating them for what they're very good at. When you're on the right track, people actually would know. While some may try to discourage you from it at the beginning but when your light busts forth, they will have no choice but to celebrate you and identify with you. I'd then advise you, if you're sure you're on the right track, do not let those who are not on track sidetrack you. Be friends with those that celebrate you not those who only tolerate you. If you're not yet noticed today, just keep on keeping on; very soon, you'd be a celebrity, if you don't quit.

4. Money will not be a distraction

Don't get this wrong. I don't mean you'd always have money on you. I mean, money will not be your ultimate drive. Fulfillment will be the sole reason why you do things. In other words, when you do the things you feel you're called to do, and people give compliments, it'd be like that's the best reward ever! I always have this feeling whenever I write or speak to inspire people. Sincerely, no other reward can match the fact that people get inspired, encouraged or motivated. It makes me want to do more!

5. It does not mean you will not fail...

This is a point that I feel I need to stress more. If you're very convinced you're on the right path for your life and you fail, I charge you to pick yourself back up and try again, and again, and again!!! Oh, I love the words of Beecher when he said, "It is defeat that turns bone to flint and gristle to muscle and makes men invincible". Vince Lombadi too said, "In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail". I tell you, on my path to becoming an academic, I've had to repeat classes twice. I've once been tagged a 'failure' by professors. "No cause is a failure, which is in the RIGHT" - Dr. Sydney Newton Bremer. I tell you, if you're in the right, failure is too little a thing to defeat you! Keep on keeping on! Stay on the right track and lets fulfill purpose together!

- Le Dynamique Professeur

YOU TOO CAN WORK MIRACLES

2011-07-19T01:05:00.000-07:00

Picture from here

She could barely talk. In fact, because of this disability, it wouldn't be strange to call her deaf and dumb. Truth is, she is neither of these; she is just in need of something; perhaps someone that could help her breakthrough her impediments. My mother, a gifted teacher decided to take her on the account of her parents' plea. You see, my mother is a well known teacher in my town in India. Everyone says she is just naturally gifted. She doesn't struggle when it comes to passing on knowledge. Prior to taking the girl in, several teachers have given up on and dumped her. She's been retracted to a dullard, a complete doll, if one needs a word to justify her case. But my mother took her in and within three months, she began talking; reading and chanting poems loudly than anyone ever heard her do. The story went across the whole town; what a MIRACLE! [REAL LIFE story as told by a colleague of mine].

Do you believe in miracles? Wait, maybe I should rephrase that question; do you believe you can work miracles too? My answer is YES! I believe in you, even if you don't believe in yourself. Every human being on this planet has been graced with the gift to work miracles. We all have that power within us. However, that power needs to be activated. The reason behind this post is to point you to that power and how you can activate it in your life.

What is this power I am talking about?

The power lies in being on the 'right' track. The right track is the track of your calling in life. Many people are in a wrong career and so they are finding it hard to break out of obscurity into lime light. They struggle each day in a rat race that ends up in nothing but mere wages that meets only their bills. The only way you can breakthrough is if you find your calling. Many teachers today are in the wrong profession; they end up bringing the worst out of their students instead of the best. They end up tagging their students failures at the slightest sight of disappointments, whereas, if its their calling, they could actually end up making the student a better one. Have you seen some people and you'd be like, "this guy/girl was made to do this?" It's because they are on the right track.

How do you activate the power?

Find your purpose and put your whole life into it. The only way you can work miracles is if you put your whole life into your calling. No one leaves a trace by walking in another man's tracks. Find your own, be unique and leave a trace. At the beginning, things may look tough, rough, crooked or twisted but I assure you, if you stay through to your calling and will not deviate, the whole world will soon celebrate you. In my reflection, I found out that men and women of history, in past generations and now are the ones who put their whole life into what they were born or called to do. Talk about Nelson Mandela; the miracle of South Africa is talked about today because He stayed on the right track. Talk about the Wright Brothers who dedicated their lives into flying a plane despite the law of gravity; the miracle of flying came about today because they stayed through to their cause. Talk about the miracle of Arts and paintings, we sure must mention Michael Angelo. What about music, you'd agree with me that there is yet any that can be likened to the miracles of Beethoven and Mozart. What miracle are you going to be remembered for?

Dear reader, you too can work miracles. Make the right choice; choose purpose over rewards; choose fulfillment over monetary gains. This life is all you've got. Make it a miracle!

PS: In my next post, I'd be telling you what you need to know about staying on track. You don't wanna miss it. Thanks for reading.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

My 26th Give away + NBA Appreciation

2011-07-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'd like to appreciate all my friends, fans and followers of this blog for your votes towards the Nigerian Blog Awards. Sincerely, even though I didn't win the Most Inspiring Blog Award, I found it such great fun to be in a community where not all things are predictable. I enjoyed the twitter award show as it was afternoon here in NZ and didn't have to stay awake, like my fellow bloggers in the UK and Nigeria. LOL. I sincerely appreciate your votes and efforts towards the award. God bless you all immensely. Let's keep fulfilling purpose. We'll surely get there if we don't give up! Congratulations to other winners of the awards too. Keep writing...

Now to my birthday post give away... I promised two books; In Pursuit of Purpose - Myles Munroe and His Helping Hand - John Ekundayo (My Dad). You will find out why In Pursuit of Purpose means so much to me in the answers to the questions asked as you read the rest of the post. I have decided to not use the 2nd and 3rd rule of the contest because people obviously didn't bother to do them. However, the questions asked; though not many, were very down to earth and awesome! Here are they and my answers to them right after.

1. GINGER | Three ways in which Dudushewa touches my life that makes her special

They are numerous but I would mention three since that's what you have asked.
a. She is my best friend. Sincerely, there is hardly anything I don't tell her. She is my closest ally. She is always there for me and I can't wait to tie the knots.

b. She can go out of her way to do anything for me. I see this quality in her all the time. Her love for me is so genuine that I feel I am the most favoured man alive.
c. She is my number one fan in everything I do. She understands my ministry and always ready to offer her support. In fact, she's always looking forward to taking part. She is my chief editor and publisher. I couldn't have gone this far in my PhD if I don't have her support. Time when I'd cry and weep cos of challenges, God has always used her to encourage and cheer me on.

2. GLORIA | If God gives you a minute to ask for just one thing u DESIRE THE MOST , what would u say..?
I'd ask that His mercy would prevail and avail for me in every phase and all the days of my life such that I will not miss His will, purpose or destiny for my life.

3. Sisi Yemmie | When are you writing a book? and when is your wedding????
Hmm... sincerely, I am hungry to write a book too. The resources in terms of manuscripts are ready. The only thing is the time to put everything together. So, I have decided when I complete my PhD study by God's grace, I'd start putting out the books, WATCH OUT.
As for my wedding; you know its not only my decision but that of two individuals. Also, yours sincerely is still a full time student (LOL). However, we are already in talks about it and very soon by God's grace. I assure you, very soon.

4. BBB | When exactly would you say was the turning point in your life, what exactly made you realize your gift for pushing people on and inspiring others to be great?
The turning point in my life would be when I found and read the book, "In pursuit of purpose" - Myles Munroe. I had, before then been struggling with questions as to so many gifts and talents in my life that I didn't know what God wanted for me specifically. But God used Myles Munroe for me in that area. After reading that book, I went on a 'search' for my life's purpose and I remember God speaking to me one day, "Son, all these that you know how to do, are all for one purpose - to be an encourager and to raise leaders in this generation and the ones to come." That's why I carved the vision of my life as: "To bring my world to heights yet unattained, fabricate ease from complexities and put smiles on every face in my generation and the ones to come". So my desire is for every man to discover their purpose; be who exactly they were born to be and make the best of their potentials in life and most importantly, make heaven. Although I try not to use biblical references on this blog because I want to reach a wider audience but I assure you, God is my ultimate source of inspiration, not any man.

5. Segun Akiode | how you narrowed down your option to your 'sweetheart'? How did you know she is the one?
I didn't really have to many options like that when we met but when we met, I knew an end had come to my search. We met in the most unique and unexpected way but I was so sure God was in it cos He spoke to me. I don't think one should be considering too much when God has already spoken. Today I am confident it'd work out not because I know how to do it, but because He spoke to me and confirmed it severally. That's why I always say [God forbid] if I lose her, it'd be missing God's will and purpose for my life and I can't afford that. There would be challenges; in fact, there are challenges but the assurance is that our relationship is built on God and His mercies that endures forever.

The Winners are:

1. BBB - 1st Prize

2. Ginger - 2nd Prize

God bless you sisters. I appreciate you. For others that didn't win, you are all winners already. God bless you mightily. Thanks for your constant support for me.

WATCH OUT FOR MY NEXT POST - You too can work Miracles | You can't afford to miss it.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

In Time, Date and my Actions...

2011-06-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Before reading the rest of the post, please place your right hand on your chest and say these words...

"I can achieve anything I set my mind to achieve. I am not a loser, I am a winner! I can be anything I set my heart to become. I am not a mediocre, I am a champion! I can reach any height I determine to reach. I am not a weakling, I am a brave heart!"

I know the title of this post does not seem to construct well as a complete title; you will soon find out why. I was in the office at the early hours of today writing up my thesis. I then decided to look into some other people's thesis so I can find ideas for some of the things I am already writing and the ones I'd soon embark on. Some how along the line, I began having this feeling of intimidation. Sincerely, I felt like, "will I ever be able to write this good [comparing the thesis I was looking at to some of the things I had written]?" It was so pronounced that it looked like someone was actually asking me that question right there in my office.

I couldn't find answers to that voice while I was in the office. I just continued with what I was doing. However, as soon as I got home, it then occurred to me, "that's intimidation right there". Are you reading this and you're passing through some forms of intimidation right now in your life, work place, relationship, marriage, studies, home, pursuits, wherever! Maybe there's something you've always wanted to do and then you saw someone that appeared to be doing better and has gone ahead of you in that thing. Instead of you feeling motivated that you can do the same or even better, you find yourself courting feelings of intimidation. You hear a voice within saying, "you can't possibly reach that height. Where do you think you'd get that strength, zeal, energy, drive, courage, skill, resources from?" Intimidation often comes in voices and pictures - from within you, from people around you, your colleagues at work, fellow students in class, your teachers - the discouraging ones, people who have gone ahead of you that are supposed to encourage you but doing other wise, the media - you always see yourself as inferior to 'stars' as if you're not made to be one.

INTIMIDATION is like water to fire if you allow it. It kills the drive, passion and enthusiasm of people. The dictionary defines it like this, "to force into or deter from some action by inducing fear". Its synonyms include: frighten, subdue, daunt, terrify or discourage. Listen, winners are those who successfully subdue their fears and mount on the wings of courage. If you're having doubts about making it in life or in a particular passion of yours, intimidation is knocking. If you're beginning to doubt your own abilities, intimidation is hovering around you. So what do you do? How do you overcome intimidation.

See this, IN - TIM[E] - I - DAT[E] - [ACT]ION. Let me straighten that out - In time, date and action. Whenever you have feelings of intimation, say back to it, "In time, date with my actions, I'd get there; I'd make it; I'd reach my goal; I will not fail". It is important that your actions is included in that statement. It means you will not give up doing what you always do. It means you will stop at nothing till you achieve your goal, dream and aspiration. I have come to discover the combining power of determination and confession as the killer of fear and intimidation. Daily confess your goals, visions, aspirations and ambitions, right back at every voice or images of intimidation and I assure you, you'll be unstoppable! Yes, you are unstoppable!

Thanks for reading once again. I appreciate you. Hope you have been inspired by this short piece?

Please go over to the Nigerian Blog Awards Voting page [http://nigerianblogawards.com/vote.php] and vote this blog as the "Most Inspiring Blog" for the year 2011. Once again, YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE!

I turned 26 on the 26th + Give AWAYS!

2011-06-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about this post, though not my usual kind of post but because it affords me the opportunity to also blog free style (now, did I say that? Don't mind me: I enjoy what I do a lot). So, I turned 26 on the 26th of June and I thought I should give you guys some gist. I know I can't do that better than Sisi Yemmie but I will do my best. lol

I spent the whole day in church. It was my church anniversary, so it was all day fun, singing, dancing, screaming and giving God all the glory. Sincerely, I've never been happier on my birthday. In fact, the day started right in church - 1200, I was still in church rehearsing and helping with cooking for the anniversary dinner the next day. I took some pictures that Saturday night...

So join me in appreciating God for the past 26 years of my life. I've been through many ups and downs but God has indeed been my help, shield and exceeding great reward. I was sharing on facebook today that one scripture that summarizes the story of my life is Psalm 118:13, "I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me". Indeed, right from birth; I was born still and no one thought I'd come alive but God had mercy on me. I've failed several times; repeated a few classes but here I am today, many think I am a genius. I know this so well and that is why the bulk of my prayer is "Lord have mercy on me". I am certain that without His mercies, I'm done for. So join me in praising God.

Also, I'd like to sincerely appreciate those who called, text-ed, dedicated their facebook profiles, BBM statuses, tweets on twitter on my birthday. I am totally humbled. You are awesome! I was completely swept of my feet in awe. God bless you mightily. I'd also like to thank my sweetheart; my one and only dudushewa, Blessing Agbaje, for making that day memorable. She called over and over and over again. She sent several emails, poems, even recorded a song with her voice for me which is now my ringing tone. Sincerely baby, I don't know what I'd ever do without you.

Now to the give aways! I'd be giving away two precious gifts for my birthday. One of them has helped me alot in understanding the true essence of fulfilling my purpose here on earth. In fact, it was when I read the book that I got the clear perspective to why I have to understand my purpose here on earth and live it. It's Myles Munroe's - IN PURSUIT OF PURPOSE. Yes, wherever you are on the face of the planet, if you win it, I'd post it to you. Second prize is my Dad's [John Ekundayo] awesome book, HIS HELPING HAND. Dad wrote this book from a heart of gratitude on how God's hand is always available to help any one. Real testimonies that looks unbelievable are in it, including how God has helped my family through to where we are today. I'm sure the winner would love it. Win one of these gifts in just three easy steps:

STEP 1: Ask me a question in the comment section of this post. Don't just ask any question but make sure its a question that's worth the gift. Because I'd be using my discretion to judge all questions asked and rate it over 5.

STEP 2: If you are already following this blog, get a new follower or subscriber to the blog. It doesn't end there. The person has to acknowledge he/she was directed here by you, somehow. If you are not following this blog yet, then just hit the follow button and you're done with number 2.

STEP 3: Like my facebook page here

Before you go, I am sure you know the Nigerian Blog Awards is here again. You have nominated this blog in the Most Inspiring Blog section of the awards. I'd like to ask for your votes. Let's finish up what we've started. I won it last year and if you think I deserve it again this year, let's do it again. Click here to vote

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!

- Le Dynamique Professeur

L.I.F.E II

2011-06-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

"Life is a journey to a distant land. On the way, there are roads (quiet streets and busy highways), rivers and bridges to cross (once filled with shark and others in which you can fish in).

As we move through the dessert and arable land, we are beaten by the storm, sunshine and clouds, hence picking up lessons that would guide our decision to take the next step or not. At the end of the day the journey becomes our learning forte - a school without walls" - PACHELIZ (comment from PART 1)

As a sequel to the PART 1 of this post, I would like to say, life is anything you make of it. It is the way you see life that you'd live it. And even more importantly, it's how you live it that you'd have it. In other words, the outcome of your life is dependent on the way you have lived it. We must always understand that we have the choice to live life the way we want. It is your life. It's none else than yours. So, I'd say one step to live life fully is to own it. When you own your life, you don't apportion blame to others when challenges come beckoning.

Jack Cranfield said, "to effectively live life, we have to own it and be responsible for it". In other words, no one can impose a way of living life on you. Whether you see life is a party, a battle, a journey or a school; what is most important is that you own your life and live a life of purpose. Saying that, I for one will not encourage some philosophies for viewing life for someone who is willing to live a fulfilled life. I mean, you can choose to live life as you want but if you want to leave this planet and be remembered as a man who has lived a life of purpose, then it is important that you do not see life through some spectacles.

Someone asked in the PART 1 of this post, "How are we then supposed to see life?" I won't advocate a particular philosophy but I will share my thoughts...

Bishop David Oyedepo said, "the day you stop learning is the day you start dying". The Holy Bible too says it like this, "[My] People are destroyed because they lack knowledge". [Hosea 4:6]. Does that mean knowledge is pertinent to life? *think on those words*

Zig Ziglar too said, "Success is a journey, not a destination". In other words, for anyone willing to be successful, it is important to see life not as a 'party' but a journey of several miles. A journey, not for quitters but for brave hearts with a purpose.

A mentor once looked me straight in the eye and said, "Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon". I would like to suggest for those who see life as a race, to stop seeing it as a sprint but rather, a marathon. In a marathon, there'd times when you'd feel like quitting. Times when you'll feel like your whole body is about to collapse but the joy of it is your goal - the gold [fulfillment]!

Do you see life as a dance? Hear the words of Bill Cosby, "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody". You are likely to want to try to please everyone; if you can ensure your watchword is to 'dance' to the tunes of fulfillment, I think you're on the right track.

I'd stop here. Please be aware that these are my thoughts and are no specific rules on how to view life. Let me hear from you too :)

- Le Dynamique Professeur

The Easiest Thing to Do

2011-06-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

picture from here

In the last four weeks, I've been heavily involved with students' assessment - exam question setting, marking of assignments and exams. One thing I noticed and perhaps learned while attending to my students' assessments was that it is very easy to actually look for people's faults and mistakes. My method of marking is this; I am prepared to give a student 100% but once I start seeing his/her mistakes, faults and wrongs, the 100% starts reducing till I eventually allocate the final mark. Thoughts around this activity led to lessons I've taken and would like to share with you using two dimensions I tagged; You-You and You-Others. Follow me:

You-You

I tagged this dimension You-You because I'd be talking about solely you. If you are the kind of person that hardly sees any good in what you do, here is a call for a change. Perhaps you always see what others do as better than what you do or what you can do. I am addressing you, here. Wait, I am not talking about honest humility; as in, valuing others above yourself. I am talking about the unhealthy version of always seeing faults in all you do thus depleting confidence in yourself. For example, maybe you always sort of feel you are dull and others are brilliant; you are poor and will always be poor; you've made a mistake in the past so your life will always be miserable as a result.

Listen to me, the easiest thing to do is to see a fault. The easiest thing to do is to blame your past for your present. And if you continue blaming your past... you will soon start blaming today when you eventually make it to your future. What am I trying to say, would you please start seeing the good in yourself? Would you start changing your perspectives about your past hurts and failures? Can you possibly change the lens with which you look at the setbacks in your life? I mean, its a choice. I like to say, "Think of Failure as a stone: can either be a stumbling block or a stepping stone". The choice you make of it would determine. Stop seeing the wrongs about you for once - start today! Take responsibility for your life. TAKE CHARGE! And the only way you can do that is when you stop blaming your pasts or other people for the wrongs in your life. It's time to arise, dust up yourself and shine! Its a brand new day for you.

You-Others

As I continued marking, I noticed some students that were not good in class, somehow, they did well than I'd expected in their exams and assignments. I tried not to allow my view of them affect how I marked their scripts because some of them just beat my imagination with how they performed. Now, there is power in the way you see people in your life. I mean, you should be careful the way with which you view and assess people. I am a little guilty but I mean we all can be better with regards to how we assess people in our lives.

From today, lets quit seeing the faults and wrongs in people. Let's start seeing the good in them. The more we see the good in them, the more we'd be helping them become great people. One of my Dad favourite quotes reads, "Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of" - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Let's make our world a better place by doing all we can to remove the stereotypes around. Lets make friendlier, peaceful and richer our planet by seeing how we can help each other achieve than how we can pull someone down... You and I, can change our ways! Yes, We can!

Now, have you been inspired by this post? I'd enjoin you to nominate this blog at the on-going Nigerian Blog Awards. This blog won "The Most Inspiring Blog" Awards last year, thanks to you. Now, lets do it again. Click here to register and nominate your favourite blogs [including this one]. Thank you.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

L.I.F.E

2011-06-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Picture from here

First, I'd like to dedicate this post to my sweetheart (Blessing Agbaje) and my loving mother (Mary Ekundayo) who celebrated their birthdays on the 3rd and 4th of June respectively. I love you two so much <3

Life! When you hear 'Life' what comes to you? Does it mean anything to you? I mean, does it create a mental picture on your inside that makes you sober and reflective? When it comes to the issue of life, it is a matter of the heart and like the words of a wise woman, "a matter of the heart is the heart of the matter". Does that statement sound a bit mystifying? It was not intended. What I am just trying to say is that our perpetual reflection on the notion of life is essential for anyone with a desire to lead a meaningful life. Don't be fooled to think every person 'up there' know anything about the essence of life. Some of them are just living each day with no thoughts as to whether they are living a meaningful life or not.

The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. Nothing can take the place of purpose in a man's life. If there is any message I believe I'm born to preach, it is this. I have come to believe your philosophy about life is very critical to how you'd live your life and in turn whether you will fulfill purpose or not. It's amazing our different views and philosophies about life...

Some see life as a party

These people are likely to see only the weekends amongst its many days
It's all about enjoyment; fun; 'busybody-ing' from one occasion to the other.

Getting a cloth that would make them stand out and make people think extravagant of them

Some see life as a dance
They usually see themselves like they are on stage and constantly under their spectators' criticisms or prais.

If they see themselves as doing right, they are full of praise.

But once they make a mistake, its like the whole world is about to end.

Some see life as a journey

They see themselves as in an adventure

It's all about the day to day experience. They live and relive life. Every minute brings a reflection.

They know about all the curves, potholes, and thrills on the way such that they recognize every Déjà vu...

Some see life as a race
It usually appears they are in some sort of competition they must win

They are always striving to outdo, outperform or edge others even without those people knowing.

It's all about achievements, ambitions, heights for these people.

Some see life as a school

They see themselves learning everyday.

Whether they fail or succeed, it's all part of the experience.

However, they must make a desirable grade at the end of the day to show they really passed through and life passed through them.

Some see life as food

It's all about things that are appealing. If it's not appealing to them, they'd rather not go near.

It's all about the feeling and once that excitement is over, its like the end of the world.

There is another hunger and expectation for the next round of excitement coming...

I'd stop here for this part... Share with me. What is your own personal philosophy about life? Any similar to this?

Don't miss the next part of this post. Thanks for reading.

- Le Dynamique Professeur

Let me decide (Final)

2011-05-20T03:50:00.000-07:00

"I've had choices since the day that I was born
There were voices that told me right from wrong
If I had listened, no I wouldn't be here today
Living and dying with the choices I've made"
- George Jones

While I am not a fan of country music, the lyrics of this song hit me to bits. I am more than sure all of us can testify to it that we are what/who/where we are today as a result of the choices we've made in the past. Similarly, the choices we make now will contribute to our future. In other words, for anyone mindful of success and fulfillment, being mindful and careful about the choice he makes would be a constant call. In the previous parts of this series, I highlighted that the choices we make at life's crossroads are very pertinent to the shape of our lives and future.

[Recall] My theory of crossroads is that a man or woman at a crossroad can only choose one of 7 decisions available to him or her. He/she can either choose to go forward or retract backwards; move up or down; drift left or right; or be stagnant at the same position.

The final part of this series is on the choice to either drift left or right. While it is difficult to ascertain in a crossroad whether the left turn is the better choice than the right, I believe there rules to making choices that can help guide such dilemma. I will like to share two main tips on how to choose when faced with the choice to either drift left or right...

1. Every selfish decision is a wrong choice: One of the many ways to know you are choosing wrongly is if you have decided to consider only your selfish decision. I learned a theory a few years back which I would still love to blog about soon; its called the 'balanced theory of wisdom' (Stenberg, 1998) - The theory proposes a balance when making a choice: self-interests (intrapersonal) with the interests of others (interpersonal) and of other aspects of the context in which one lives (extrapersonal), such as one’s community - city, country or environment or even God.’So, when next you are at a crossroad, think of these things.

2. Choose informed decisions over 'emotional' ones: well, maybe because I am a researcher but I've come to discover when I delve into things before making decisions over them, I tend to make the right decisions. Successful people make informed decisions - information on such decisions could come from previous experiences (personal and from others), insights and knowledge from wise fellows... life is too short to keep making uninformed decisions. When your choice are guided, you would hardly make wrong decisions.

With this post, we've come to the end of the 'Let me Decide' series. Thanks for following through. I am sure you've picked up one or two things and you've been inspired by the series. God bless you.

- Le Dynamique Professeur (LDP)

Do you believe in me?

2011-05-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

At the early hours of the morning today, I just felt my heart asked me this great question, "Do you believe in me?" I wonder in my heart immediately, how many hearts are asking the same questions that very minute; either asking themselves or asking their loved ones. Perhaps not verbally but deep down within. How many times have you looked in the eye of your spouse and have these words unspoken yet yelling loudly as though it would jump off your chest - "honey, do you believe in me?" How many times have you engaged yourself in the bathroom early in the morning, probing yourself deep within, "Samuel [put your name here], do you believe in me?"

Hardly can anything be done without believing in its possibility. In fact, whatever you do not believe in would remain undone by you. The reason why only one man comes out with an invention out of 6billion people on the planet is because the man would not give up until he sees what he believes come to life. I once heard the story of Mr Charles Goodyear - Goodyear Tyres [heard of that name before?]. Charles never started a company named Goodyear tyres neither did he know anything about a company with such nomenclature. However, Charles was a man who believed heating natural rubber and sulfur would create vulcanized rubber. The process which was later refined to become the vulcanizing process. Quoting a source...

"Goodyear was sure that he had the key to the intricate puzzle that he had worked over for so many years, he began at once to tell his friends about it and to try to secure capital, but they had listened so many times that his efforts were futile. For a number of years he struggled and experimented and worked along in a small way, his family suffering with himself the pangs of the extremest poverty. At last he went to New York and showed some of his samples to William Ryder, who, with his brother Emory, at once appreciated the value of the discovery and started manufacture."

Later Charles Goodyear began his own small factory where he was perfected his discovery and had to patent it in 1844. His discovery has led to the tyres on our roads today.

So what am I driving at? Until you believe in yourself, it'd be difficult to convince any other person to believe in you. Hello!!! Believe in yourself and even if others don't believe in you, it would be difficult to derail you or get you off track. As you know I love physics. Newton's first law of motion states, "every body remains in a state of rest unless acted upon by a force". Now, if your dream is the BODY at rest, your 'believe' or 'faith' is the FORCE that needs to act on it or else it would remain at that level zero! In other words, until you believe in your dreams and your capacity to birth forth the dream, it would forever remain a dream.

Beloved, it is high time you believed in yourself and your ability to birth forth your dream. If there is anything you can only do yourself, its your believing. No one can do that for you. Martin Luther King said, "Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying." Indeed, you would be encouraged if people believe in you and your dreams but you first have to do the believing. It is pointless if people believe in you and you practically lack faith in yourself. You will remain at that state of rest until you believe in yourself! It's that easy! Even the bible that I love so much said, "'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." Believe and you'd be amazed at what you can achieve. Be all you can, BELIEVE all the way!

- Le Dynamique Professeur

Let me decide III

2011-05-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

Recall: My theory of crossroads is that a man or woman at a crossroad can only choose one of 7 decisions available to him or her. He/she can either choose to go forward or retract backwards; move up or down; drift left or right; or be stagnant at the same position.

I believe the most disastrous decision a man can ever make in life is to stand put in one position, scared stiff, afraid of making a move. I know we are all humans and because of our nature, the things we cannot see tend to limit us. And one of such things is the future. As a result, we are very careful with the moves we make, ensuring we are not victims of the risks we take in life. The truth however is even choosing to stay put and not take any risk is the riskiest decision one can ever make. Have you heard the story of the wolf and the cat?

The cat had seen the wolf from afar off and had all the time in the world to run and hide. Rather he chose to dig a hole where he was standing and buried himself underneath. Unknown to him, he had just made things very easy for the wolf. The wolf noticed the ruffled ground and decided to sniff on it. He immediately noticed the cat and ate him without hesitation!

Hear this, "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." - Martin Luther King Jr.

In any of life's cross road, stagnancy should never be an excuse. It is important to always be on the move. Truth is, if you refuse to move from where you are, you would soon be trampled over by others on the journey. No one makes it by standing on the same spot. People make it whenever they decide to make a move. Success is often measured by how far and well one can travel when one makes a move and not for how long one is able to stand on a spot.

I beseech you therefore beloved, don't you stop wherever you are. Don't you quit when you still so much ground to cover. Champions are those who start from the starting line, make a move and cross the finish line. In the race of life, you don't have to be a sprinter, you don't have to be the fastest runner; all you need do is to keep moving. Like in the words of Martin Luther King, whether crawling is what you can do, perhaps its walking, just ensure you are not on the same spot at every time interval. If you are found at the same spot where you were last year, this year, then my friend, you are not making progress. Progress is what defines success not stagnancy. Be found on the move, not standing put. You are a winner!

- Le Dynamique Professeur

Let me decide II

2011-04-25T02:59:00.000-07:00

Half bread, someone says "...is better than none". I tell you my friend, I'd rather choose to hope for the best than to settle for less than what I deserve. Just a quick recap from where we started from in the part 1 of this post; my theory of crossroads is that a man or woman at a crossroad can only choose one of 7 decisions available to him or her. He/she can either choose to go forward or retract backwards; move up or down; drift left or right; or be stagnant at the same position.In this part two, I will be talking about looking up or looking down.

Permit me to term looking up as 'Hope' and looking down as settling for less than you deserve because you have chosen to give up hope. I would like to define Hope. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines HOPE in three interesting ways: (i) to cherish a desire with anticipation (ii) to desire with expectation of obtainment; and (iii) to expect with confidence. Looking at this definition, you would agree with me that only a brave heart hopes. Losers don't have hope. Only people with a winning attitude hope. That is, if your hope is failing, you are tending towards the losing side. Miracles don't happen to those who have given up hope. It comes to those who against hope yet believe in hope!

Beloved, I beseech you therefore, should you have to choose between looking up and looking down at any crossroad you may find yourself, choose wisely. According to Thomas Mertin, "The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little." But I would like to plead with you, should you ever be tempted to settle for too little, think again because, "The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for" - Maureen Dowd. To settle for less than you deserve is to choose to be on the losing side. In football, we always say it is not over until you hear the final whistle. I have had the opportunity of watching several soccer matches where deficits of 4goals are turned around in the last few minutes of the game. The difference between the team that lose such a match and those who end up coming back to win is a desire to not settle for less. A sight on what is against reality.

I love that third definition of hope by the Merriam Webster dictionary, " to expect with confidence". No wonder the bible (a book I love so much) says, "do not cast away your confidence, for it has a great reward". When you choose to look up at any crossroad of life, you are saying, I am confident, I am hopeful, the best is yet to come, I will not give in, I will not settle for less because I deserve more. Half bread is not better, full bread comes to those who choose to hope with confidence. I enjoin you to look up today and you will soon have something to show for it.

Thank you for reading.

- Le Dynamique Professeur